Obama on Colorado wildfires: "Devastation is enormous"

President Barack Obama talks with firefighters as he tours the Mountain Shadow neighborhood devastated by wildfires, Friday, June 29, 2012, in Colorado Springs, Colo.

/ AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

(CBS News) President Obama traveled to Colorado on Friday to see the impact of the wildfires that have swept through parts of the state. After his visit, he said "the devastation is enormous" but praised residents and government officials for "pulling together."

"We've got to make sure that we have each other's backs," the president said in Colorado Springs. "And that spirit is what you're seeing in terms of volunteers, in terms of firefighters, in terms of government officials. Everybody is pulling together to try to deal with this situation."

The Waldo Canyon fire has forced tens of thousands to evacuate an area south of Denver. At least one person has died and nearly 350 homes have been destroyed. Officials say 15 percent of the fire has been contained as of Friday morning.

During his visit, the president promised the federal government's support.

"I think what you see here is an example of outstanding coordination and cooperation between federal, state and local agencies. We have been putting everything we have in trying to deal with what's one of the worst fires that we've seen here in Colorado," he said. Mr. Obama declared a major disaster in the region Thursday, making federal funds available to fight the fires.

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Western wildfires

Added the president: "But because of the outstanding work that's been done, because of not only the coordination but also some unprecedented arrangements that have been made with military resources combined with the civil resources, we're starting to see progress."

Mr. Obama cautioned, though, that there is still there is still a long way to go before the fire is under control.

"Ultimately they're going to need a little bit of help from Mother Nature in order to fully extinguish these fires," he said.

Finally the president praised the firefighters for their "determination" and "professionalism."

"And they are genuine heroes. And so we want to just say thank you to all the folks who have been involved in this. We're proud of you," the president said. "And so for folks all around the country, I hope you are reminded of how important our fire departments are, our Forest Service is."

[Zeally1088]

man you guys are big virgins

[Misanthrope-Obama]

Nothing more devastating to America than Obama's destructive Maxist socialist presidency in the entire history of our country.
He fiddles like Nero another tyrant while Ameica's economy and burns.
We haver never seen anyting like it.

[aintfakin]

even on an article about a fire
I see the right wing obsessive-compulsive, no life, ideology only, teeth gnashers are out in force......goosestepping on the computer.
geez
they must be miserable people

[hypnotoad72]

No, they're just more readily bought and paid for and have no sense of guilt. Like these guys:

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/04/14/158424/republican-leaders-debt-limit-hypocrisy/

(now ask why we have to cut costs everywhere... but the number of related issues goes back for decades and isn't merely limited to Republicans...)

[Misanthrope-Obama]

Obama has made most of Americans miserable being the miserable POTUS that he is.
He has spread the misery since he and the left love misery.
They slither to the computer to post.

[therifleman]

We needed him to tell us this?

[hypnotoad72]

Just like when Bush called Katrina a disaster, et al...

I don't always agree with politicians' politics, but unless politicians are putting on an empty show then I will side with either Obama OR Bush.

Rebuilding and what happens afterward is more apropos anyway...

[Misanthrope-Obama]

Bush again.
Get a new sorry excuse toad, to justify the worst president in our history as a free nation.
You sound like a broken record.

[samXXkiley]

coucou,
to support victims it is good, provide to them quickly a necessary help is better.
"au revoir"

[nohater]

obama will do it, he will find the money. after all, obama spent one billion dollars to overthrow qaddafi in libya and not long ago gave palestinians 147 million. obama spent that money while the USA has millions jobless, homeless, including children. obama knows his priorities.

[retmw2]

How much did israel get, I notice you on the right never mention them.

[hypnotoad72]

Well, Bush gave car companies and banks billions and enough articles online tell of how TARP was NOT paid back, etc, etc... \

Yes, even the car companies - before Obama, in December 2008, Bush did sign a stopgap measure to bail them out.

Now consider GM and Chevy management using lower quality parts to cut costs, offshoring to cut costs, and other things to (at least in the short term a long time ago) to APPEAR more profitable...

I wish the issue wasn't as simple or one-sided as you suggest. And you're right - the US does have plenty of jobless and homeless... as a reminder this is one a one-sided issue, check up on this:



http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Rick_Santorum.htm#Corporations
http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/mitch_mcconnell.htm#Corporations
http://www.ontheissues.org/john_mccain.htm#Corporations
http://www.issues2000.org/senate/Judd_Gregg.htm#Corporations
http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/jim_demint.htm#Corporations
http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Orrin_Hatch.htm#Corporations
(amongst others, and from both parties...)

"Voted NO on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore. (Mar 2005)"

You will find Obama voted YES to repeal the anti-free market bill... so question those dudes on the issue and stop thinking everything going on is solely Obama's fault. Good grief.

[islandtown]

Well.....Obama cut our nation's fire plane force in half last year from 18 to 9! Yes, Obama said he was making sure half our fire plane's would be used. Great......4 planes! How much did his photo op trip cost? He should have given that money to victims and the fire departments.

[realtimecoffee]

He did inherent those wars...

[retmw2]

Obama cut them, better check it was more then likely the tea party republicans. They want everyting cut except foreign aid and the defense budget.

[CAArmyWife]

You really need to get your facts straight. The President ordered in MORE military. I am in Colorado Springs and I know that the Air Force C130 Firefighters were activated from the local AFB on Monday, the Army was activated by Thursday as well as giving permission to use the Academy's Airstrip and Tower for air operations since it was 5 minutes away by helicopter. It is a Commanding General's decision to dedicate troops because it is a Local disaster first. Please don't discount what are Soldiers and Airmen did before he showed up.

[hypnotoad72]

+1

[islandtown]

Well.....Obama cut our nation's fire plane force in half last year from 18 to 9! Yes, Obama said he was making sure half our fire plane's would be used. Great......4 planes! How much did his photo op trip cost? He should have given that money to victims and the fire departments.

[sooner_schooner]

Not near as devastating as you trouncing on our constitutional rights, Mr. President.

[hypnotoad72]

sandiegopete -

*zing!*

Great retort, thank you.

[realtimecoffee]

ad, maybe. Prove it to the undecided.

[OnTheRoad01]

Now ain't that Special!! Obama, just cost the tax payers a million bucks to fly him and everyone else to Colorado! And it did not help one single person in the State!!! But no politican (GOP or DEM) can be expected to miss a photo op!

[OnTheRoad01]

Hey Solarrays247, no one mentioned hating anyone! I just think it was a politican (and I did mention that both GOP and DEMs are the same!) that will just do anything and bill the taxpayers to get their face on TV!

[hypnotoad72]

Like Bush or other previous presidents wouldn't if disasters happened during their tenure?

Grow up, kid.