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

09/15/2007 -- California Governor Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a State of Emergency in San Bernardino County in response to the Butler Two Fire that has burned more than 18,000 acres and threatens populated areas in the county, including 6,000 homes and 150 businesses.

Below is the full text of the Governor’s emergency proclamation:

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A PROCLAMATION

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

WHEREAS on September 14, 2007, a wildfire began in San Bernardino County and the wildfire is continuing to date; and

WHEREAS the wildfire has been designated as the Butler Two Fire; and

WHEREAS the Butler Two Fire has burned over 18,000 acres and continues to burn with very little containment: and

WHEREAS there are currently mandatory and voluntary evacuations occurring; and

WHEREAS as a result of the Butler Two Fire, conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property have arisen in San Bernardino County; and

WHEREAS there is imminent danger to populated areas including 6,000 homes and 150 businesses in the County of San Bernardino; and

WHEREAS on September 15, 2007, the County of San Bernardino declared a local emergency and requested a state proclamation of emergency as a result of the Butler Two Fire; and

WHEREAS the circumstances of the Butler Two 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 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 in San Bernardino County due to the Butler Two 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 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 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 15th day of September 2007.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger

Governor of California

ATTEST:

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DEBRA BOWEN

Secretary of State

Source: California Governor