11/17/2008 GAAS:784:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Gov. Schwarzenegger Proclaims State of Emergency in San Bernardino County Due to Wildfire
Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County
as a result of the Freeway Fire which has burned over 28,000 acres, damaged or
destroyed over 160 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.
On Saturday, the
Governor declared a state of emergency in Orange and Riverside counties as a result of the Freeway Fire and Los Angeles County as a
result of the Sayre Fire. On Friday, the Governor declared a state of emergency
in Santa Barbara County as a result of the Tea Fire.
The text of the
proclamation is below:
A PROCLAMATION
OF A STATE OF
EMERGENCY
WHEREAS on November 16, 2008, the wildfire known as the Freeway Complex
Fire spread into San Bernardino County; and
WHEREAS the day before, on November 15, 2008, the Freeway Complex Fire
began burning near the border of Orange County and Riverside County, and spread
into those counties; and
WHEREAS on November 15, 2008, Orange County and Riverside County
declared local emergencies and requested that I proclaim a state of emergency
in those counties; and
WHEREAS on November 15, 2008, I proclaimed a state of emergency for
Orange County and Riverside County; and
WHEREAS the Freeway Complex Fire has already burned more than 28,000
acres and destroyed or damaged more than 160 homes; and
WHEREAS this fire is now burning into the City of Chino Hills and other
areas of San Bernardino County, threatening homes and businesses in San
Bernardino County and requiring residents to evacuate and seek emergency
shelter; and
WHEREAS I requested, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
granted, a Fire Management Assistance Grant for this fire; and
WHEREAS the City of Chino Hills and the County of San Bernardino have
activated their emergency operations centers; and
WHEREAS on November 16,
2008, the City of Chino Hills declared a local emergency; and
WHEREAS on November 16,
2008, the County of San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino 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 17th Day of November 2008.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of California
ATTEST:
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State
