08/06/2008 GAAS:595:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Gov. Schwarzenegger Declares State of Emergency in Humboldt County Due to Wildfires and Unhealthy Air Quality
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today declared a state of emergency in Humboldt County as a result of the numerous wildfires that have led to unprecedented smoke conditions and unhealthy air quality. The proclamation utilizes all resources consistent with the state's authority under the California Disaster Assistance Act.
To date, the Governor has declared a state of emergency in the following 13 counties due to wildfires: Butte, Humboldt, Inyo, Kern, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, Plumas, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta and Trinity.
Full text of the proclamation:
A PROCLAMATION
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS over 2,000 wildfires have erupted in California since May 22, 2008; and
WHEREAS over 1 million acres have burned as a result of these unprecedented events; and
WHEREAS wildfires have burned thousands of acres in Humboldt County, destroying structures and causing evacuations; and
WHEREAS the wildfires in Humboldt County and throughout California have generated unprecedented smoke conditions, creating unhealthy air and posing a continuing danger to people; and
WHEREAS the Hoopa, Karuk, and Yurok Tribal Nations have declared local emergencies for their reservations in and near Humboldt County as a result of the fires and the unhealthy air caused by the fires and smoke; and
WHEREAS on July 22, 2008, the County of Humboldt declared a local emergency, finding that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property have arisen within Humboldt County caused by the fires and smoke, that local resources are unable to cope with the effects of the emergency, and requesting that I proclaim a state of emergency for Humboldt County; and
WHEREAS the circumstances of these conditions, by reason of their magnitude, are 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 fires and unhealthy air quality in the County of Humboldt.
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 Humboldt.
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 my 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 6th Day of August 2008.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of California
ATTEST:
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State
