County supervisors proclaim local emergency
The Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Gary Ovitt proclaimed a local emergency today due to the fires - the Oak Glen III Fire and the Pendleton Fire - that have already burned thousands of acres and posed a hazard to the safety of persons and property throughout San Bernardino County.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Gary Ovitt said, "We appreciate the timely help of Governor Schwarzenegger proclaiming a State of Emergency, which opens up a wide range of state resources to help us fight this destructive fire and help individuals and businesses get back on their feet."
The Oak Glen III Fire started at about 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 30, 2009 near the unincorporated community of Oak Glen, causing the evacuation of the entire community, and continues to spread in the San Bernardino National Forest. The Pendleton Fire started at about 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 31, 2009 in the City of Yucaipa and has caused additional evacuations of more than 1,000 homes in that area.
In addition, the County of Los Angeles is fighting a fire in the Angeles National Forest that has already consumed more than 120,000 acres and continues to burn and thrive in the warm temperatures and low humidity. A significant public health threat exists due to the adverse air quality created by the extreme levels of ash, soot and smoke.
Jurisdictions proclaim a local emergency when circumstances of a disaster are, or are likely to be, beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of any single county, city and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat. This local proclamation will activate our County's powers and authorities to take any necessary actions to meet the needs of the emergency in a timely manner and to protect lives and property.
In addition, the Governor of the State of California proclaimed a State of Emergency within San Bernardino County. A Gubernatorial proclamation of a State of Emergency in San Bernardino County made available the wide range of statewide resources to San Bernardino County in its continuing response and recovery. The County will also be better able to recoup a portion of any fire suppression costs and other costs related to the disaster proclamation.
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