For me, the lightning strikes that summer--I guess a year ago--I've never seen anything like it in Northern California, 1,000 fires started from lightning strikes at one time, one day. So it's a big problem.

We have to do better.

We have asked for a significant increase in the number of inspectors even in these tough budget times in the last 2 years.

I would hope that in devising any other moratorium, that you take into account the judge's reasoning and the countervailing public interests...

I think the point I want to make is that this is a real priority, and we're going to continue to do our level best within our allocation.

the air assets are critical, and they have to be in place.

I fully support the moratorium and hope you do reimpose it as quickly as possible.

If there is another beginning like a Station Fire start, can you get a tanker or a helicopter at night?

Madam Chair, I appreciate all the leadership you've brought to this issue for many years now.

We are going to do that with the request to this Congress for a robust increase in what we are able to do with respect to enforcement and inspections.

I am pressing. That's a question.

To the best of my knowledge, there is no technology today that can absolutely prevent and give the public the general assurance that nothing as dire is ever going to happen again.

My own thinking is that fires are not going to get better. They're going to get worse.

I think for all intents and purposes, the pressure is going to be enormous to go back to business as usual.

I think that's excellent.

Well, let me say--and you know this. You don't need to hear this from me, but this is a big issue in the West.

I think it is a matter of making clear that cozy relationships will not be tolerated.

Thank you very much, Senator Murkowski.

Opening Statement of Senator Dianne Feinstein

I really want to keep it that way.

According to the documentation, again provided to the subcommittee, personnel at the fire requested three air tankers and a helicopter to be flying over the fire by 7 in the morning of August 27.

According to the documentation you provided my staff in preparation for this hearing, no aircraft actually flew over the fire on the night of August 26.

We are beginning to do that. We have not set a date for the markup yet, but the work is now beginning.

I feel strongly it is important to separate out within the organization those who are involved in leasing the resource and those who are involved in bringing in...

I think we have an imperative and that imperative is to see that the technology is in place before we drill.