SACRAMENTO – Acting Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an emergency proclamation for Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to the effects of the Hill and Woolsey fires, which have destroyed homes, threatened critical infrastructure and caused the evacuation of residents.
Yesterday, Acting Governor Newsom issued an emergency proclamation for Butte County due to the effects of the Camp Fire, and sent a letter to the President and Federal Emergency Management Agency requesting a Presidential Emergency Declaration for Direct Federal Assistance to support the communities impacted by wildfires burning across the state, including the Camp, Hill, Woolsey and Nurse fires.
The full text of today’s proclamation is below:
PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS on November 8, 2018, the Hill Fire and Woolsey Fire began burning in Ventura County and continue to burn; and
WHEREAS the Woolsey Fire has crossed into Los Angeles County; and
WHEREAS these fires have destroyed homes and continue to threaten additional homes and other structures, necessitating the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents; and
WHEREAS these fires have forced the closure of roadways and continue to threaten critical infrastructure; and
WHEREAS high temperatures, low humidity, and erratic winds have further increased the spread of these fires; and
WHEREAS the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a Fire Management Assistant Grant to assist with the mitigation, management, and control of the Hill Fire and Woolsey Fire; and
WHEREAS the circumstances of these fires, 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 Government Code section 8558(b), I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exists in Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to these fires; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8571, I find that strict compliance with the various statutes and regulations specified in this order would prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of these fires.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Acting 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, Government Code section 8625, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist in Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to the Hill and Woolsey Fires.
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 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.
- The Office of Emergency Services shall provide local government assistance to Los Angeles and Ventura counties, if appropriate, under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act, Government Code section 8680 et seq., and California Code of Regulations, Title 19, section 2900 et seq.
- As necessary to assist local governments and for the protection of public health and the environment, state agencies shall enter into contracts to arrange for the procurement of materials, goods, and services necessary to quickly assist with the response to and recovery from the impacts of the Hill Fire and Woolsey Fire. Applicable provisions of the Government Code and the Public Contract Code, including but not limited to travel, advertising, and competitive bidding requirements, are suspended to the extent necessary to address the effects of the Hill Fire and Woolsey Fire.
- The provisions of Unemployment Insurance Code section 1253 imposing a one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance applicants are suspended as to all applicants who are unemployed as a direct result of the Hill Fire or Woolsey Fire, who applied for unemployment insurance benefits during the time period beginning November 8, 2018, and ending on the close of business on May 8, 2019, and who are otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.
- Vehicle Code sections 9265(a), 9867, 14901, 14902, and 15255.2, requiring the imposition of fees, are suspended with regard to any request for replacement of a driver’s identification card, vehicle registration certificate, or certificate of title, by any individual who lost such records as a result of the Hill Fire or Woolsey Fire. Such records shall be replaced without charge.
- The provisions of Vehicle Code sections 4602 and 5902, requiring the timely registration or transfer of title are suspended with regard to any registration or transfer of title by any resident of Los Angeles County or Ventura County who is unable to comply with those requirements as a result of the Hill Fire and Woolsey Fire. The time covered by this suspension shall not be included in calculating any late penalty pursuant to Vehicle Code section 9554.
- Health and Safety Code sections 103525.5 and 103625, and Penal Code section 14251, requiring the imposition of fees are hereby suspended with regard to any request for copies of certificates of birth, death, marriage, and dissolution of marriage records, by any individual who lost such records as a result of the Hill Fire or Woolsey Fire. Such copies shall be provided without charge.
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 9th day of November 2018.
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GAVIN NEWSOM
Acting Governor of California
ATTEST:
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ALEX PADILLA
Secretary of State
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