Vernon Wright, Chairman of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians

Beginning the work of moving forward and the business of rebuilding, the Tribal Council of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians took a moment to extend gratitude for the help and contributions received during the Poomacha fire.

The La Jolla, Santa Ysabel, Mesa Grande and Rincon reservations were cut off from water, food and communication, evacuating people, and fighting fires throughout the many days the Poomacha raged through or around their communities. Some still remain without electricity and power. The La Jolla Reservation, like the Rincon Band, suffered extensive structural damages.

“Many generous and brave people extended themselves professionally and privately to protect lives and the reservation communities. Without the quick and professional response of the fire crews from the reservations, California Department of Forestry, Valley Center, San Diego County and from around the state and nation, the destruction to property might have been much worse,” said Rincon Chairman Vernon Wright.

“We are thankful for the lives and homes that were spared and are working with tribal leaders, federal and state agencies to take care of tribal people and employees, who lost homes. Fortunately, like our neighbors in North County, the tribes have learned resilience. We have also had plenty of experience in dealing with the emotional, financial and governmental problems that complicate the ability of people to move on with our lives.”

According to Wright, knowing that other’s care, and that, “We will be there for each other, makes the road ahead less daunting and frightening for those facing the most immediate hardships.” The Rincon tribe extended thanks to the following tribes, Soboba, Pala, Pauma, San Pasqual and Pechanga for the temporary housing and life supporting provisions they continue to make to tribal members who lost homes and are returning to communities without power, food and water, and especially evacuees from La Jolla, Santa Ysabel and Mesa Grande reservations. Contributions from tribal governments ranged from housing, meals, generators, cots, blankets and pillows to water, medical care and transport.

“In one case, during the height of the fire emergency, the Rincon and Pala leaders were able to get rations to volunteers and tribal employees who stayed behind to help a reservation and were down to the last bottle of water and one tortilla.” The Tribal Council also expressed thanks to the following individuals, businesses and organizations for donations of food, beverages, clothing, pet supplies and other items, ranging from cots and blankets to diapers and tooth paste that were delivered to the Rincon Reservation Fire Department and dispatched to where they were needed.

The Rincon Council expressed gratitude to the Rincon Reservation Fire Department, and the medical EMTs, along with the 75 Harrah’s Rincon employees, and kitchen crews, who remained at the casino throughout the emergency to provide for evacuees. “I wouldn’t want to forget the auxiliary generators that kept the power on when we needed it, for the more than 350 evacuees, employees and emergency fire fighting personnel, the hotel housed,” Wright added.

“My most poignant moments came when I met employees, tribal members, emergency medical, law enforcement personnel or individuals working on fire crews that were looking after the needs of others, while knowing that their own homes were endangered.

“I know, we may have overlooked someone, and I apologize. We can only say thanks to the wonderful response the tribes received. We will never know the names of all the heroes and individual acts of bravery, or even how to repay them, except to give our most sincere thanks.

Posted on October 30th, 2007 by admin
Filed under: News, Wild Fires