Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties due to wildfires:

“As fires burn across California, I want to commend all of the firefighters who are bravely battling these aggressive flames and the first responders who are helping their communities and fellow neighbors. Winds are causing fire conditions to change by the hour, which is why it is so important that residents in the areas surrounding these wildfires heed warnings from public safety officials to evacuate. It’s critical that everyone in the warning areas continue to be prepared—know what you’re going to take and be ready to move very quickly if the evacuation order comes in your area. The state is coordinating with federal and local officials to ensure that firefighters have the resources they need, but with such a serious situation on our hands, we need residents to take every precaution to remain safe during this dangerous and difficult time.”

The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has activated the State Operations Center at its Sacramento headquarters. For more information, including evacuation centers and wildfire statistics, go to www.oes.ca.gov or www.calfire.ca.gov.

Full text of emergency proclamation:

A PROCLAMATION

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

WHEREAS on and after October 12, 2008, wildfires broke out in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and these wildfires continue to spread; and

WHEREAS the wildfires are being driven by high winds, and these conditions are expected to continue; and

WHEREAS several thousand acres have already burned with minimal containment, and more acres are threatened; and

WHEREAS one death has been confirmed as a result of these wildfires and others have been injured; and

WHEREAS numerous homes, businesses and other structures have burned, and many more structures are threatened; and

WHEREAS mandatory evacuations are in place resulting in thousands of residents being evacuated and seeking emergency shelter; and

WHEREAS several key local highways and roads have been closed as a result of these wildfires; and

WHEREAS the smoke from the wildfires is adversely impacting the public health in the area; and

WHEREAS on October 12, 2008, my Office of Emergency Services requested and the Federal Emergency Management Agency granted a Fire Management Assistance Grant to ensure that adequate financial resources are available to rapidly attack the fire and reimburse critical emergency response costs; and

WHEREAS on October 13, 2008, the County of Los Angeles issued a local proclamation of emergency, requesting that I issue a state proclamation of emergency; and

WHEREAS the circumstances of these wildfires, 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, because of the wildfires, conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist in the counties of Los Angeles and Ventura.

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 the counties of Los Angeles and Ventura.

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 13th Day of October 2008.

______________________________

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER

Governor of California

ATTEST:

_______________________________

DEBRA BOWEN

Secretary of State