WASHINGTON - President Bush touted his administration's response to the California wildfires on Saturday. "I made a pledge to the people of California on behalf of all Americans: We will help you put out the fires, get through the crisis, and rebuild your lives," he said in his weekly radio address.

Bush visited California on Thursday to see for himself the damage from fires that have burned in seven counties since Sunday. In the radio address, with many of the fires still threatening and unpredictable, the president said the federal government has responded to state pleas for help.

Among Washington's contributions that he ticked off were the contribution of federal firefighters and aircraft and swift emergency declarations to help speed federal aid.

Bush also singled out state officials for praise, even though there has been sniping about bureaucracy and state rules preventing the deployment of sufficient aerial support in the blazes' first hours.

"State and local authorities in California were well prepared for this crisis, and they responded quickly and effectively," Bush said.

The president had said that a main aim of his trip was to inspire weary firefighters and others pitching into help.

"Many of these brave men and women have battled the blaze in triple-digit heat. Some have worked around the clock. And more than once, firefighting teams were forced to take emergency shelter in their fire tents when threatened by approaching walls of flame," he said in the address. "I was grateful for the opportunity to meet them, and I thank them for their courage."