FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date: August 6, 2002
Contact: Jennifer Stone (619) 531-4766

COUNTY, LOCAL GROUPS LEND SUPPORT TO BACK COUNTRY FIRE VICTIMS

SAN DIEGO - "We hope these contributions provide comfort to rattled fire victims as they begin the arduous process of rebuilding their lives,"Supervisor Dianne Jacob said Tuesday as she and her colleagues on the Board
designated $20,000 to help victims of the devastating Pines Fire still raging near the East County community of Julian.

On the heels of the Board's contribution, San Diego Gas and Electric, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Indian Nation and the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay each made a generous contribution to the Pines Fire Relief Fund.

"Sycuan has a proud history of helping our neighbors in times of need," said Daniel Tucker, vice-chairman of Sycuan. "We hope our $25,000 will led aid to Pines Fire victims and bring needed optimism to the community in and around Julian."

"Our hearts go out to the residents in the Julian area," said Debra L.Reed, president and chief financial officer of SDG&E. "SDG&E has been working around the clock to restore power in the Julian area, but there is much more rebuilding that needs to be done. We hope that our $10,000 doantion will help our customers begin to rebuild their lives," Reed said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the Pines Fire," said Steven TeSam, tribal chairman of Viejas. "We are pleased to be able to lend a helping hand to our community in a time of disaster."

The Pines Fire Relief Fund was initiated up by the Julian Chamber of Commerce and the Julian Merchant's Association. Community members will administer the fund, which will be spent entirely on victims. The total of the fund, including contributions from the County, SDG&E, Sycuan and Viejas, stands at more than $70,000.

Others wishing to donate to victims of the Pines fire may make a contribution to the Pines Fire Relief Fund at Valley Independent Bank. The Pines Fire Relief Fund phone number is (760) 370-3600. The address is Valley Independent Bank, 1498 Main St., El Centro, CA, 92243. The Julian branch of Valley Independent Bank is open. The branch was evacuated last week after fire closed in on the town of Julian.

On behalf of the Julian Chamber of Commerce and the Julian Merchant's Association, Supervisor Jacob wishes to thank the firefighters and disaster relief workers still on the scene of the Pines Fire.