California tribes begin fire recovery efforts

Wednesday, October 31, 2007  

Tribal leaders in southern California met with state and federal officials on Tuesday to discuss fire recovery efforts.

Fires blazed through several reservations in San Diego County. The Rincon Reservation and the La Jolla Reservation were among the hardest hit.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has authorized $600,000 in emergency grants. Each Indian family affected by fire will receive $1,000.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development plans to rebuild HUD homes that were destroyed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is seeking to bring in temporary housing.

Tribal leaders said they need to work better with the state to ensure their reservations are protected. "The first three days, we were fending for ourselves," said La Jolla Chairman Tracy Nelson said, The Los Angeles Times reported.

Get the Story:
Tribes say better fire protection for their land is needed (The Los Angeles Times 10/31)
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Relevant Links:
After the Fires Fund - http://www.sdfoundation.org/fire2007

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