Governor Schwarzenegger Proclaims State of Emergency in San Bernardino County Due to Wildfire

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

November 17, 2008

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County as a result of the Freeway Fire which has burned over 28,000 acres, damaged or destroyed over 160 homes and required mandatory evacuations and road closures. The proclamation utilizes all resources consistent with the state's authority under the California Disaster Assistance Act.

On Saturday, the Governor declared a state of emergency in Orange and Riverside counties as a result of the Freeway Fire and Los Angeles County as a result of the Sayre Fire. On Friday, the Governor declared a state of emergency in Santa Barbara County as a result of the Tea Fire.

The text of the proclamation is below:



A PROCLAMATION

OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY



WHEREAS on November 16, 2008, the wildfire known as the Freeway Complex Fire spread into San Bernardino County; and

WHEREAS the day before, on November 15, 2008, the Freeway Complex Fire began burning near the border of Orange County and Riverside County, and spread into those counties; and

WHEREAS on November 15, 2008, Orange County and Riverside County declared local emergencies and requested that I proclaim a state of emergency in those counties; and

WHEREAS on November 15, 2008, I proclaimed a state of emergency for Orange County and Riverside County; and

WHEREAS the Freeway Complex Fire has already burned more than 28,000 acres and destroyed or damaged more than 160 homes; and

WHEREAS this fire is now burning into the City of Chino Hills and other areas of San Bernardino County, threatening homes and businesses in San Bernardino County and requiring residents to evacuate and seek emergency shelter; and

WHEREAS I requested, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency granted, a Fire Management Assistance Grant for this fire; and

WHEREAS the City of Chino Hills and the County of San Bernardino have activated their emergency operations centers; and

WHEREAS on November 16, 2008, the City of Chino Hills declared a local emergency; and

WHEREAS on November 16, 2008, the County of San Bernardino declared a local emergency, and requested that I declare a state of emergency; and

WHEREAS the circumstances of this wildfire, 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 fire in San Bernardino County.

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 San Bernardino County.

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 my 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 17th Day of November 2008.

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of California

ATTEST:
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State