10/13/2008 GAAS:716:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Governor Schwarzenegger Declares State of Emergency in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties Due to Wildfires
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today declared a state of
emergency in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties due to
wildfires:
"As fires burn across California, I want to commend all of the
firefighters who are bravely battling these aggressive flames and the first
responders who are helping their communities and fellow neighbors. Winds are
causing fire conditions to change by the hour, which is why it is so important
that residents in the areas surrounding these wildfires heed warnings from
public safety officials to evacuate. It's critical that everyone in the warning
areas continue to be prepared-know what you're going to take and be ready to
move very quickly if the evacuation order comes in your area. The state is
coordinating with federal and local officials to ensure that firefighters have
the resources they need, but with such a serious situation on our hands, we need
residents to take every precaution to remain safe during this dangerous and
difficult time."
The Governor's Office of Emergency Services has
activated the State Operations Center at its Sacramento headquarters. For more information,
including evacuation centers and wildfire statistics, go to www.oes.ca.gov or
www.calfire.ca.gov.
Full text of emergency
proclamation:
A
PROCLAMATION
BY
THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS on and after October 12, 2008,
wildfires broke out in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and these wildfires continue to
spread; and
WHEREAS the wildfires are being driven by
high winds, and these conditions are expected to continue;
and
WHEREAS several thousand acres have already
burned with minimal containment, and more acres are threatened;
and
WHEREAS one death has been confirmed as a
result of these wildfires and others have been injured; and
WHEREAS numerous homes, businesses and
other structures have burned, and many more structures are threatened;
and
WHEREAS mandatory evacuations are in place
resulting in thousands of residents being evacuated and seeking emergency
shelter; and
WHEREAS several key local highways and
roads have been closed as a result of these wildfires;
and
WHEREAS the smoke from the wildfires is
adversely impacting the public health in the area; and
WHEREAS on October 12, 2008, my Office of
Emergency Services requested and the Federal Emergency Management Agency granted
a Fire Management Assistance Grant to ensure that adequate financial resources
are available to rapidly attack the fire and reimburse critical emergency
response costs; and
WHEREAS on October 13, 2008, the County of Los Angeles issued a local proclamation of
emergency, requesting that I issue a state proclamation of emergency;
and
WHEREAS the circumstances of
these wildfires, by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be 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, because of
the wildfires, conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property
exist in the counties of Los Angeles and
Ventura.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of
California, in accordance with the authority
vested in me by the State Constitution and 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 counties of Los Angeles and
Ventura.
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 13th Day of October
2008.
ARNOLD
SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of California
ATTEST:
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State
