[californiadisasters] Federal Panel in Pasadena to Review Station Fire Battle Tactics

Federal panel in Pasadena to review Station fire battle tactics

By Paul Pringle
Los Angeles Times
October 12, 2010 |  8:00 am

A public panel is scheduled to get underway Tuesday morning in Pasadena to scrutinize the actions of the U.S. Forest Service in fighting the devastating Station fire.

A desire to control costs slowed the arrival of "critical resources" in the attack on last year's fire as the Forest Service delayed ordering reinforcements from other agencies that had crews and equipment at the ready, according to an internal federal review.

The finding contradicts statements made for more than a year by Forest Service officials, who have insisted repeatedly that cost concerns never impeded the Station fire battle. It is likely to sharpen questions about the firefighting decision-making as the congressional panel meeting in Pasadena prepares to examine the Forest Service's actions.

The findings in the "Large Cost Fire Review," a copy of which The Times has obtained, will be addressed by Los Angeles-area members of the House of Representatives during Tuesday's session.

The fire became the largest in Los Angeles County history, blackening 250 square miles and destroying more than 200 homes, commercial buildings and other structures. Two county firefighters were killed when the blaze roared nearly unchecked into the forest and overran their mountaintop camp.

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View entire article here: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/10/house-panel-to-review-station-fire-battle-tactics.html

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