SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Santa Barbara County due to the effects of the Thomas Fire, which has threatened homes and other structures and caused the evacuation of residents.
The Governor also requested a Presidential Emergency Declaration for direct federal assistance to supplement the state and local emergency response to the fires burning in Southern California, following the emergency proclamations issued earlier this week for San Diego, Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
The full text of the proclamation for Santa Barbara County is below:
PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS the Thomas Fire began burning in Ventura County on December 4, 2017, and I declared a State of Emergency on December 5, 2017; and
WHEREAS the Thomas Fire has now spread into Santa Barbara County; and
WHEREAS this fire is threatening homes and other structures, forcing the evacuation of residents in Santa Barbara County; and
WHEREAS extreme weather conditions including strong winds have further increased the spread of this fire; and
WHEREAS a Fire Management Assistance Grant has been requested from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist with the mitigation, management, and control of the Thomas Fire in Santa Barbara County; and
WHEREAS the circumstances of this fire, 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 Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exists in Santa Barbara County due to the Thomas Fire; and
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 Government Code,
HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist in Santa Barbara County.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT the provisions of my December 5, 2017 Proclamation shall also apply to the effects of the Thomas fire in Santa Barbara County.
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 7th day of December 2017.
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EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California
ATTEST:
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ALEX PADILLA
Secretary of State