11/14/2008 GAAS:775:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Gov. Schwarzenegger Proclaims State of Emergency in Santa Barbara County Due to Wildfire
Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency in Santa Barbara County as
a result of the Tea Fire which has already burned over 2,500 acres, destroyed
over 100 homes and required mandatory evacuations and road closures. The
proclamation utilizes all resources consistent with the state's authority under
the California Disaster Assistance Act.
The text of the
proclamation is below:
A PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF
EMERGENCY
WHEREAS on November 13, 2008, a wildfire started in Santa Barbara County
and continues to spread; and
WHEREAS the fire has burned approximately 2,500 acres with no containment; and
WHEREAS the fire has already injured 10 people, destroyed over 100 homes, and caused
loss of power in the area; and
WHEREAS the fire has required mandatory evacuations and road closures, and residents
have been forced to seek emergency shelter; and
WHEREAS on November 13, 2008, I requested, and the Federal Emergency Management
Agency granted, a Fire Management Assistance Grant for this fire; and
WHEREAS on November 13,
2008, the City of Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara County declared a local emergency,
and requested that I declare a state of emergency; and
WHEREAS the circumstances of this wildfire, 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 conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist
due to the fire in Santa Barbara County.
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 Santa Barbara County.
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 14th Day of November 2008.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of California
ATTEST:
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State
