View Larger Map of the California November 2008 fires …
Map showing fire California fires (Sayre fire, Sylmar fire, and more) and the evacuation area (in blue) north of the San Fernando Valley.
A PROCLAMATION
OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS on November 14, 2008, a wildfire started in Los Angeles County and continues to spread; and
WHEREAS the fire has burned approximately 2,600 acres with no containment; and
WHEREAS the fire has damaged or destroyed over 165 homes and threatens the electric power supply for the area; and
WHEREAS the fire has required mandatory evacuations and road closures, and residents have been forced to seek emergency shelter; and
WHEREAS the fire has caused the evacuation of patients from Olive View Hospital; and
WHEREAS I requested, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency granted, a Fire Management Assistance Grant for this fire; and
WHEREAS on November 15, 2008, Los Angeles County declared a local emergency and requested that I declare a state of emergency; and
WHEREAS the circumstances of this wildfire, 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 conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due to the fire in Los Angeles County.
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 Los Angeles County.
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 15th Day of November 2008.
______________________________
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of California
Copy of the proclaimed state of emergency in Los Angeles County after the Sayre fire and two other major fires has injured four firefighters, evacuated more than 10,000 California residents and burned more than 6,500 acres.