Sen. Dianne Feinstein is questioning the Defense Department about its response to last month's wildfires. Despite promises after the Cedar Fire, military water-dropping choppers were still delayed in getting off the ground. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has the story.
Feinstein wants to know what military resources were available during the disaster -- and what will be available for future wildfires. She wants unambiguous guidelines for how California firefighters can get help from military aircraft. The California Democrat sent letters to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, as well as the head of Cal Fire.
A recent report says military choppers were available on the first day of the fires, but they couldn't go anywhere, because there weren't enough supervisors to go with pilots.
Feinstein says it's unfortunate that red tape delayed the response this year, especially since a blue-ribbon commission suggested better collaboration with the military after the 2003 fires.
Andrew Phelps, KPBS News.
