06/11/2008 GAAS:328:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Governor Schwarzenegger Proclaims State of Emergency in Butte County Due to Wildfires
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency in Butte County due to the Ophir and Humboldt Fires.
"We are aggressively battling the Ophir and Humboldt Fires, and I thank the hardworking firefighters for their efforts. We are mobilizing and coordinating all of the resources necessary to fight these fires," Governor Schwarzenegger said.
Earlier today, the Governor directed additional resources to aggressively fight California's early wildfires through CAL FIRE and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services and activated the DC-10 and DC-7 retardant dropping aircraft today. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services is closely monitoring fire activity throughout the state and is working closely with CAL FIRE and local jurisdictions to ensure they have access to the resources needed to respond to wildfires and other weather-related disasters.
On May 9, 2008, the Governor issued Executive Order S-03-08, which boosted the state's preparedness for wildfire season and directed the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to immediately mobilize critical firefighting resources and personnel to save lives and homes statewide.
The full text of the proclamation is below:
A PROCLAMATION
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS two wildfires are currently burning in Butte County; and
WHEREAS the wildfire known as the Ophir Fire began on June 10, 2008 and has already burned over 1,600 acres and destroyed 21 homes and numerous other buildings; and
WHEREAS the wildfire known as the Humboldt Fire began on June 11, 2008 and has already burned over 3,500 acres and is threatening 1,200 homes and numerous other buildings; and
WHEREAS these wildfires are being driven by dry conditions and high winds, and these conditions are expected to continue; and
WHEREAS these wildfires have already disrupted major electric power lines and continue to threaten other utilities; and
WHEREAS hundreds of people have been evacuated and emergency shelters established; and
WHEREAS on June 11, 2008, the County of Butte declared a local emergency, based on the fire's continuing threat to residences, structures and power lines; and
WHEREAS my Office of Emergency Services requested federal Fire Management Assistance Grants, which were approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to ensure that adequate financial resources are available to rapidly attack the fire and reimburse critical emergency response costs; and
WHEREAS my Office of Emergency Services is already working with Butte County officials and relief agencies, such as the Small Business Administration, to identify aid for impacted residents in the fire area; and
WHEREAS the circumstances of this wildfire, 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 fire in the County of Butte.
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 Butte.
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 11th day of June 2008.
______________________________
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of California
ATTEST:
_______________________________
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State
