Governor activated the State Operations Center and convened top emergency officials to coordinate an all-hands response to high winds and elevated fire-weather conditions, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said in a press release.
The release said he proclaimed a state of emergency in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties after Tropical Storm Rachel, and he issued a proclamation and an executive order to accelerate recovery and hazardous-debris cleanup in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties following the Dove and Gann fires.
The governor directed the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and CAL FIRE to preposition additional firefighters, engines, aircraft and specialized equipment ahead of anticipated Santa Ana winds and Red Flag conditions; the release said the early deployment strengthens local response capacity and keeps state resources ready to move quickly as conditions change.
Beginning Oct. 11, the release said Tropical Storm Rachel brought strong, gusty winds, heavy rainfall, hazardous surf and rip currents to Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties; in combination with high tides and large swells, the storm produced coastal erosion, significant sand movement, flood concerns and widespread roadway disruptions.
The proclamation for the storm makes state assistance available under the California Disaster Assistance Act and directs the California Department of Transportation to request federal assistance through the Federal Highway Administration for eligible repairs to storm-damaged highways and related infrastructure.
The Tuolumne County proclamation clears the way for state agencies to expedite safe removal and disposal of hazardous debris from properties affected by the Dove Fire; the release said the Dove Fire began July 26 near Highway 108 and Stockton Street, burned 226 acres, prompted mandatory evacuations and destroyed 12 structures before reaching full containment on Aug. 1.
The executive order for Calaveras County builds on an existing state of emergency for the Gann Fire and authorizes the secretaries of the California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Natural Resources Agency to speed debris and household hazardous-waste removal, recovery work and environmental restoration; the release said the Gann Fire ignited Aug. 3, burned 10,339 acres and damaged or destroyed more than 50 structures.
State officials said the combined steps are intended to speed safe recovery, repair damaged infrastructure and keep essential transportation routes moving as storm and fire damage is cleared.
State
Gavin Newsom
Governor · Democrat
Named 3 times in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
Sources & methodology
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