07/03/2008 GAAS:502:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Gov. Schwarzenegger Declares State of Emergency in Santa Barbara County Due to Wildfires
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency in Santa Barbara County as a result of the Gap Fire which has already burned over 2,400 acres and is causing imminent danger to 200 residential property and structures.
"We have responded immediately to the Gap Fire by sending additional resources to Santa Barbara County to battle this blaze that is threatening life and property," Governor Schwarzenegger said. "California has the best firefighters in the world, and I also want to commend them for their dedication under such difficult circumstances. Thanks to their hard work, we are making progress in containing the more than 1,000 current fires, and through our local, state and federal coordination and resources, we will put these fires out and help our affected communities recover as quickly as possible."
To date, the Governor has declared a state of emergency in the following 11 counties: Butte, Kern, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, Plumas, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta and Trinity.
On May 9, 2008, the Governor issued Executive Order S-03-08, which boosted the state's preparedness for wildfire season and directed CAL FIRE to immediately mobilize critical firefighting resources and personnel to save lives and homes statewide.
Text of proclamation:
A PROCLAMATION
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS a wildfire began burning on July 1, 2008 in the County of Santa Barbara and continues to burn; and
WHEREAS the fire is being driven by dry conditions and high winds, and these conditions are expected to continue; and
WHEREAS 2,400 acres have already burned with 0 percent containment, causing imminent danger to over 200 residences and other structures and causing mandatory evacuations;
WHEREAS the fire has damaged power lines, resulting in sporadic widespread power outages, requiring hospitals to use backup power generators; and
WHEREAS on July 2, 2008, the County of Santa Barbara declared a local emergency, based on the fire's continuing and imminent threat to persons and property; and
WHEREAS firefighting resources are already stretched thin due to the unprecedented number of wildfires throughout California, starting in June and continuing in July; and
WHEREAS the circumstances of this wildfire, by reason of their magnitude, is beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of any single county, city and county, or city and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8558(b) of the California Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due to the fire in the County of Santa Barbara.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the state Constitution and statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, section 8625 of the California Government Code, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist within the County of Santa Barbara.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all agencies of the state government utilize and employ state personnel, equipment and facilities for the performance of any and all activities consistent with the direction of the Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the State Emergency Plan, and that OES provide local government assistance under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act
I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this proclamation be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this proclamation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 3rd Day of July 2008.
______________________________
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of California
ATTEST:
_______________________________
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State
