Bush issues disaster declaration

President Bush issued a major disaster declaration today for Southern California counties hit by the wildfires.

Quotes from the White House:

“Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster,” White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said. “Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and Santa Barbara counties.”

Meanwhile, The Times' Catherine Saillant is attending a 4 p.m. news conference in which a "significant development" is promised on the Montecito fire.

Stay tuned.

-- Shelby Grad