DMV Closes Many Offices in South State Due to Raging Wildfires

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--Oct. 2, 20037, 2003--The California State Department of Motor Vehicles has closed a number of DMV field offices in Southern California as a result of the thirteen huge wildfires burning in five counties. While none of the offices have been damaged by the fires, the closures reflect a mounting concern for the safety of employees and customers.

"Our primary concern is for our field office managers and technicians," said DMV Director Steven Gourley. "But there are other issues we have to deal with as well. Roads are closed, power is out in a number of locations, and the air quality is very poor. It just makes sense to keep our people and our customers off the streets and freeways as much as possible so fire crews can get to where they need to go and evacuees can get to shelters."

Gourley said fourteen offices have been closed for the day and added that other offices may also be closed if conditions warrant. "Administrators on site will evaluate the closures on a day to day basis, " he said. The offices currently shuttered are:

1) San Ysidro
2) Chula Vista
3) San Diego (Normal Street location)
4) San Diego (Clairmont location)
5) El Cajon
6) Poway
7) Escondido
8) Spring Valley
9) San Bernardino
10) Fontana
11) Redlands
12) Rancho Cucamonga
13) Simi Valley
14) Thousand Oaks

"We know this is an inconvenience for our customers," said Gourley, but we simply have to take all precautions we can in the face of this disaster. We absolutely don't want to put anyone in harm's way. Now is the time for anyone who lives anywhere near the fires to take extra care of themselves and their families. And it's very important to keep traffic to a minimum so emergency crews can get to where they need to go."

Gourley also noted the DMV Telephone Service Center in San Diego has been closed, although all calls going to that facility have been rerouted to the Sacramento Telephone Service Center.

Director Gourley urged all potential customers to check the DMV Website at www.dmv.ca.gov for office closure information (go to "DMV Public Offices and Locations" and click) as well as the local media. "We want to get back in business as soon as possible, but we're going to err on the side of caution," Gourley said.