Thursday, August 23, 2012

Governor Brown Declares State of Emergency in Plumas, Shasta and Tehama Counties

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Plumas, Shasta and Tehama Counties following recent wildfires that have destroyed residences, threatened thousands of homes and other structures and caused evacuations and road closures.

The full text of the emergency proclamation is below:




A PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY


WHEREAS on July 29, 2012, a wildfire started in Plumas County that has consumed more than 47,000 acres, and continues to burn; and

WHEREAS a wildfire that started in Tehama County on August 18, 2012, and spread to Shasta County has consumed more than 15,000 acres, and continues to burn; and

WHEREAS the fires have destroyed residences and threaten thousands of homes and other structures, causing residents to be evacuated, roads to be closed, and emergency shelters to be opened; and

WHEREAS on August 19, 2012, the Federal Emergency Management Agency granted funds to assist with firefighting costs in the counties of Shasta and Tehama; and

WHEREAS the counties of Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama have declared local emergencies and requested that I declare a state of emergency; 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 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 fires in the counties of Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama.

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 the counties of Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama.

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 California Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Plan.

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 22nd day of August 2012.


____________________________________
EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California