Mayor Edwin M. Lee today issued the following statement on the Presidential Disaster Declaration for California’s Rim Fire, which began in August 17, 2013 in the Stanislaus National Forest, burned 257,135 acres, reached the edges of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir watershed, and was 100 percent contained as of October 24, 2013:

“I extend my deepest appreciation to President Barack Obama for signing a Presidential Disaster Declaration to provide much needed Federal support for the ongoing restoration and recovery of the ecological resources, structures, and infrastructure affected by the California Rim Fire. Thank you to Governor Jerry Brown for his steadfast stewardship that was critical in securing Federal aid for California, and to our Federal delegation including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senator Dianne Feinstein for their ongoing support and leadership of our overall recovery efforts.

Thank you again to the thousands of brave firefighters who responded and fought tirelessly to contain one of California’s worst wildfires in recorded history.

Fortunately, the Rim Fire did not impact water quality at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, the pristine drinking water source for 2.6 million people in the San Francisco Bay Area. The epic rim fire did, however, damage critical roadways, power distribution lines, and other facilities owned or maintained by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission as part of the Hetch Hetchy Water and Power System. This efficient system, in addition to supplying drinking water, generates clean hydroelectricity for our City’s municipal buildings, public schools, transportation system, hospitals and other important institutions that keep San Francisco working.”