Title
Extend the Proclamation of Local Emergency ratified July 26, 2016 in accordance with California Government Code § 8630 to assist the operations of Monterey County in the response to and recovery from the Soberanes Fire which began on July 22nd, 2016 and continues uncontrolled as of this date.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors extend the Proclamation of Local Emergency ratified July 26, 2016 in accordance with California Government Code § 8630 to assist the operations of Monterey County in the response to and recovery from the Soberanes Fire which began on July 22nd, 2016 and continues uncontrolled as of this date.
SUMMARY:
Pursuant to Section 2.68.060 of the Monterey County Code and Section 8630 of the Government Code, the County Administrative Officer or his designee, or the Board of Supervisors is empowered to proclaim the existence of a local emergency when the County is affected by a public calamity.
At approximately 8:30 am on Friday, July 22nd, 2016 a fast moving wildfire broke out in the area of Monterey County and quickly destroyed numerous residences and hundreds of acres of valuable forest and watershed; and resulted in evacuations and displacement of residents, road closures, areas of isolation, damage to property, utility systems, and critical infrastructure. Extremely dry conditions caused by prolonged drought have coupled with years of underbrush growth created an extreme fire hazard and erratic fire behavior throughout the State of California, including Monterey County.
DISCUSSION:
Efforts to bring the wildfire under control and to assist the affected population with evacuation, care and shelter immediately involved county government and public works officials; county, State and federal fire, law, and emergency services; American Red Cross, SPCA, CERT, and other volunteer and private sector assets. The fire, which is 92% contained at this time, has burned over 129,000 acres and destroyed numerous structures as well as causing damage to critical power, water, wastewater, and communications infrastructure. It is the 18th largest fire in California’s history and the most expensive fire in the country. Over 1100 firefighters continue to combat this fire. The Governor of California issued a state of emergency for Monterey County for July 26th. The Tassajara Zen Center remains under an evacuation order. Communities continue to be at risk for future flooding and debris flows from the effects of the fire.
Action by the Board of Supervisors as recommended herein will document the extreme nature of the fire, the recovery efforts, and its effects on the local communities. The County Administrative Office and Office of Emergency Services will update the Board of Supervisors periodically concerning the emergency and efforts to assess, plan for, remove, abate, restore and mitigate the hazardous conditions that continue to threaten the area at this time.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The hazard abatement, mitigation, and recovery efforts will involve the cooperation and assistance of local, State and federal fire suppression, law enforcement, and recovery resources; County Public Works, Resource Management Agency, Public Health, Environmental Health and Office of Emergency Services assets; the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services; local fire districts; American Red Cross; SPCA for Monterey County and CalFire. Critical non-profits including Community Foundation, United Way, Coastal Property Owners Association.
FINANCING:
The hazard abatement, mitigation, and recovery efforts will involve the cooperation and assistance of local, State and federal fire suppression, law enforcement, and recovery resources; County Public Works, Resource Management Agency, Public Health, Environmental Health and Office of Emergency Services assets; the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services; local fire districts; American Red Cross; SPCA for Monterey County and CalFire. Critical non-profits including Community Foundation, United Way, Coastal Property Owners Association.
Prepared by:
_______________________________________________
Sherrie L. Collins, CEM
Emergency Services Manager
Approved by:
_______________________________________________
Nicholas E Chiulos
Assistant County Administrative Officer
Attachment: Board of Supervisors Resolution of Local Emergency, dated October 18, 2016