SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for El Dorado and Siskiyou counties due to the effects of the King and Boles fires, which have burned thousands of acres, destroyed homes and other structures and damaged critical infrastructure.
“The wildfires in Northern California serve as a reminder that dry conditions can be the precursor to devastating loss,” said Governor Brown. “Anne and I extend our deepest sympathies to those who have suffered such terrible losses in the fires.”
Today’s proclamation follows the emergency proclamation issued in early August for wildfires in El Dorado, Amador, Butte, Humboldt, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Modoc, Shasta and Siskiyou counties and this month’s executive order waiving fees to replace documents such as driver’s licenses and birth certificates for those affected by the fires. This week, Governor Brown secured federal Fire Management Assistance Grants for the King, Boles and Courtney fires.
The full text of the emergency proclamation is below:
A PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS on September 13, 2014, wildfires started in El Dorado County, and on September 15, 2014, wildfires started in Siskiyou County. These fires, including the King Fire and Boles Fire, have burned thousands of acres of land and continue to burn; and
WHEREAS these fires have destroyed hundreds of structures, including over 150 homes, and continue to threaten homes, necessitating the evacuation of thousands of residents; and
WHEREAS these fires have damaged and continue to threaten critical infrastructure, including power lines and water storage tanks, and have forced the closure of major highways and local roads; and
WHEREAS on January 17, 2014, I declared a State of Emergency based on the extreme drought that has persisted in the State. These drought conditions have increased the State’s risk of wildfires. Recent lightning storms and high temperatures have further increased this risk and caused the spread of additional wildfires; and
WHEREAS on August 2, 2014, I declared a State of Emergency and on September 12, 2014, I issued an Executive Order based on the fires burning in Northern California; and
WHEREAS a Federal Fire Management Assistance Grant was requested and approved for the King Fire burning in El Dorado County; and
WHEREAS a Federal Fire Management Assistance Grant was requested and approved for the Boles Fire burning in Siskiyou County; and
WHEREAS the circumstances of these fires, by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of any single local government 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 in El Dorado and Siskiyou Counties.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., 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 El Dorado and Siskiyou Counties.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. 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 Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the State Emergency Plan. Also, all citizens are to heed the advice of emergency officials with regard to this emergency in order to protect their safety.
2. The Orders and provisions contained in Executive Order B-25-14, dated September 12, 2014, remain in full force and effect.
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 September 2014.
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EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California
ATTEST:
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DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State