California Governor Schwarzenegger Proclaims State of Emergency in Inyo County Due to Wildfire

07/11/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, in response to the Inyo Complex Fire that has burned more than thirty-five thousand acres and caused the contamination of the primary water supply for the City of Independence, today proclaimed a State of Emergency in Inyo County. The Governor directed state agencies to respond with personnel, equipment and facilities under the direction of the Office of Emergency Services (OES) and consistent with the State Emergency Plan. OES will provide local government assistance under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act.

Below is the full text of the Governor’s Proclamation:

Article continues below...

A PROCLAMATION

OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS on July 6, 2007, multiple wildfires began in Inyo County, caused by multiple lightning strikes; and

WHEREAS the multiple wildfires were collectively designated the “Inyo Complex Fire;” and

WHEREAS the Inyo Complex Fire has burned more than thirty-five thousand acres; and

WHEREAS more than one thousand residents were evacuated and relocated to temporary emergency shelters; and

WHEREAS on July 7, 2007, the Inyo Complex Fire caused the contamination of the primary water supply for the City of Independence, disrupting normal deliveries of potable water from the water system; and

WHEREAS extraordinary emergency actions have been taken, and continue to be taken, to provide emergency drinking water to the community; and

WHEREAS more than five residences and dozens of outbuildings have been destroyed by the Inyo Complex Fire; and

WHEREAS the Inyo Complex Fire threatened, among other things, a power plant, electric power lines, hundreds of homes and businesses, and recreational facilities; and

WHEREAS my Office of Emergency Services requested and received a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure financial resources are available to rapidly attack the Inyo Complex Fire and to reimburse essential firefighting costs; and

WHEREAS on July 10, 2007, Inyo County declared a local emergency and requested that I declare a state of emergency due to the continuing emergency conditions caused by the Inyo Complex Fire; and

WHEREAS the circumstances of the Inyo Complex Fire, by reason of their magnitude, are 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 provision 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 Inyo Complex Fire.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the state Constitution and the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, section 8625 of the California Government Code, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist within Inyo 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 11th Day of July 2007.

______________________________

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER

Governor of California

ATTEST:

_______________________________

DEBRA BOWEN

Secretary of State

Source: California Governor