Originally Posted by TheSenator

President Bush boosted federal aid to fire-ravaged Southern California on Wednesday, signing a major disaster declaration as officials ordered new evacuations when winds shifted.

.....................it has begun................................

National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/relea...070509-12.html

(b) "Catastrophic Emergency" means any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions;