SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Amador and Calaveras counties due to the effects of the Butte Fire, which has burned thousands of acres of land and caused the evacuation of residents and damage to highways and other infrastructure.
Today’s proclamation also incorporates provisions from an executive order issued last month to expedite the debris removal process and waive fees to replace documents such as birth certificates for those affected by the fires.
The full text of the proclamation is below:
PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS on September 9, 2015, the Butte Fire started in Amador County and spread into Calaveras County, and has rapidly burned thousands of acres of land and continues to burn; and
WHEREAS this fire has destroyed multiple structures, including homes, and continues to threaten thousands of homes, necessitating the evacuation of residents; and
WHEREAS this fire has damaged and continues to threaten critical infrastructure, and has forced the closure of major highways and local roads; and
WHEREAS a Federal Fire Management Assistance Grant has been requested and approved for the Butte Fire burning in Amador and Calaveras counties; and
WHEREAS on January 17, 2014, I declared a State of Emergency based on extreme drought, which has caused millions of trees to die, and increased the severity and spread of fires throughout the State; and
WHEREAS as a result of the Butte Fire, combined with the drought conditions, California’s air quality has significantly deteriorated and impacted public health; and
WHEREAS the circumstances of this fire by reason of its 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 in California due to this fire.
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 in within the counties of Amador and Calaveras.
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 California National Guard shall mobilize under California Military and Veterans Code section 146 (mobilization in case of catastrophic fires) to support disaster response and relief efforts and coordinate with all relevant state agencies, including the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, and all relevant state and local emergency responders and law enforcement within the impacted areas.
3. The Orders and provisions contained in Executive Order B-33-15, dated August 27, 2015, remain in full force and effect and apply to Amador and Calaveras Counties.
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 September 2015.
_____________________________
EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California
ATTEST:
_____________________________
ALEX PADILLA
Secretary of State
A copy of the proclamation can also be found here.