07/03/2008 Print Version
WHEREAS a wildfire began burning on July 1, 2008 in the County of Santa Barbara
and continues to burn; and
WHEREAS the fire is being driven by dry conditions and high winds, and these conditions
are expected to continue; and
WHEREAS 2,400 acres have already burned with 0 percent containment, causing imminent
danger to over 200 residences and other structures and causing mandatory evacuations;
WHEREAS the fire has damaged power lines, resulting in sporadic widespread power
outages, requiring hospitals to use backup power generators; and
WHEREAS on July 2, 2008, the County of Santa Barbara declared a local emergency, based
on the fire's continuing and imminent threat to persons and property; and
WHEREAS firefighting
resources are already stretched thin due to the unprecedented number of wildfires
throughout California,
starting in June and continuing in July; and
WHEREAS the
circumstances of this wildfire, by reason of their magnitude, is 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 Santa Barbara.
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 Santa Barbara.
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 3rd Day of July 2008.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor
of California
ATTEST:
DEBRA
BOWEN
Secretary
of State
