06/23/2008 GAAS-464-08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gov. Schwarzenegger Declares State of Emergency in Monterey and Trinity Counties Due to Wildfires

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency in Monterey and Trinity Counties as a result of numerous wildfires, including the Basin Complex Fire, Gallery Fire and Lime Complex Fire. The proclamation utilizes all resources consistent with the state's authority under the California Disaster Assistance Act.

Earlier today, the Governor was briefed on the status of firefighting efforts statewide at the base camp for the Wild Fire incident in Napa and Solano Counties.

On Saturday, the Governor ordered the California National Guard (CNG) to mobilize a total of six helicopters and one RC-26 remote sensing platform to assist in combating the wildfires in Northern California. Five National Guard helicopters with water dropping capabilities were deployed today to support firefighting efforts; two from Nevada, two from Oregon and one from the California Guard. These are in addition to the six CNG helicopters, RC-26 imaging aircraft and two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) aircrafts that were requested on Saturday and were also in place in California earlier today.

On May 9, 2008, the Governor issued Executive Order S-03-08, which boosted the state's preparedness for wildfire season and directed the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to immediately mobilize critical firefighting resources and personnel to save lives and homes statewide.

For more information on these and other fires, go to www.oes.ca.gov or http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current.

The full text of the proclamation is below:

WHEREAS numerous wildfires known as the Basin Complex Fire have been burning in the County of Monterey, including the Indians Fire which began to burn on June 8, 2008 in the Los Padres National Forest area, and the Gallery Fire which began to burn on June 21, 2008 in the Big Sur area; and

WHEREAS the fires are not yet contained and are being driven by dry conditions and high winds, and these conditions are expected to continue; and

WHEREAS at least 57,000 acres have already burned due to the Indians Fire and some 2,000 acres have burned due to the Gallery Fire, causing imminent danger to a large number of residential and commercial property and structures and resulting in widespread evacuations; and

WHEREAS on June 20, 2008, lightning strikes ignited a series of wildfires, known as the Lime Complex Fire, in the County of Trinity, and the wildfires continue to burn; and

WHEREAS the Lime Complex Fire consists of more than 70 separate wildfires, ranging in size from 1 to 400 acres, which are driven by continuing dry conditions and wind; and

WHEREAS the Lime Complex Fire has burned more than 4,000 acres, is not yet contained, and is threatening 1,200 residences and 300 outbuildings, as well as several youth camps and requiring evacuations; and

WHEREAS on June 22, 2008, the County of Monterey declared a local emergency, based on the fires' continuing and imminent threat to persons and property; and

WHEREAS on June 23, 2008, the County of Trinity declared a local emergency, based on the fires' continuing and imminent threat to persons and property; and

WHEREAS the circumstances of these wildfires, by reason of their magnitude, are 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 fires in the counties of Monterey and Trinity.

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 the counties of Monterey and Trinity.

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 the 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 23rd Day of June 2008.