California Governor Schwarzenegger Proclaims State of Emergency in Santa Cruz County Due to Summit Fire

05/22/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement and proclamation:

"I want to extend my deepest appreciation to the brave firefighters. As I've said many times before, we have the most courageous, talented and best trained firefighters in the world. They are doing a great job fighting the Summit Fire.

"My administration is working closely with federal and local officials, including Congresswoman Eshoo, Congressman Honda, Senator Maldonado and Assemblymember Laird. We are aggressively battling this fire from the onset. We are putting extra resources on this fire, and we will continue to mobilize and coordinate all the resources necessary to fight it."

On May 9, 2008, the Governor issued Executive Order S-03-08, which boosted the state's preparedness for wildfire season and directed the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to immediately mobilize critical firefighting resources and personnel to save lives and homes statewide.

The full text of the proclamation follows:

A PROCLAMATION

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

WHEREAS a wildfire known as the Summit Fire began burning on May 22, 2008, and is continuing to burn at a rapid pace; and

WHEREAS on May 22, 2008, the County of Santa Cruz declared a local emergency, based on the wildfire destroying homes and firefighting equipment, and causing the evacuation of area homes and schools; and

WHEREAS over 3,000 acres have already burned, including residential property and structures, and there is imminent danger to additional homes and structures; and

WHEREAS the circumstances of this wildfire, 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 due to the fire in the County of Santa Cruz.

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 Cruz.

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 22nd Day of May 2008.

______________________________

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of California

ATTEST:
_______________________________

DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State

Source: California Governor