Tag: wildfire

Governor Brown Signs Executive Order to Assist Response, Recovery Agencies Battling Detwiler Fire in Mariposa County

Jul 20, 2017 5:41 pm

Today, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed Executive Order B-41-17 to assist response and recovery agencies involved in battling the Detwiler Fire burning in Mariposa County. The entire text of the Executive Order is available below and at the Governor’s Office webpage.

 

WHEREAS on July 18, 2017, I proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist in Mariposa County due to the effects of the Detwiler Fire; and

WHEREAS the Detwiler Fire has rapidly burned tens of thousands of acres of land and continues to burn; and

WHEREAS this fire has destroyed structures and continues to threaten homes, necessitating the continued evacuation of thousands of residents; and

WHEREAS this fire has damaged power, water, and communication infrastructure, and has forced the closure of roadways; and

WHEREAS under the July 18, 2017, State of Emergency Proclamation, pursuant to the provisions of … continue reading »

Tags: , , , , , , ,
1 Comment | Join the Conversation!

Governor Brown Declares State of Emergency in Mariposa County Due to Detwiler Fire

Jul 18, 2017 4:22 pm

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Mariposa County due to the effects of the Detwiler Fire, which has burned thousands of acres, damaged power, water and communication infrastructure, threatened homes and caused the evacuation of residents.

Link to Governor’s Proclamation’s page:  https://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=19876

The full text of the proclamation is below:

PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS on July 16, 2017, the Detwiler Fire started in Mariposa County and has rapidly burned thousands of acres of land and continues to burn; and

WHEREAS this fire has destroyed structures and continues to threaten homes, necessitating the evacuation of thousands of residents; and

WHEREAS the fire has damaged power, water, and communication infrastructure, and has forced the closure of major highways and local roads; and

WHEREAS extreme weather conditions and high temperatures have further increased the … continue reading »

Tags: , , , , , ,
No Comments | Join the Conversation!

Cal OES Director Secures Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA to Assist Response Agencies Battling the Detwiller Fire in Mariposa County

Jul 17, 2017 8:56 pm
Photo of Mark Ghilarducci
Mark Ghilarducci, Director Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Director Mark Ghilarducci today secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the Detwiller Fire burning in Mariposa County. The FMAG also enables local, state and tribal agencies to recover eligible costs.

Thus far, the fire has burned approximately 11,000 acres, threatening structures near the areas of Hornitos, Bear Valley and Bagby. Cal OES is working with CAL FIRE and Mariposa County to mobilize multiple fire strike teams and firefighters as well as fire engines, dozers, water tenders and fire … continue reading »

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments | Join the Conversation!

Governor Brown Declares State of Emergency in Santa Barbara County Due to Alamo and Whittier Fires

Jul 16, 2017 5:56 pm

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Santa Barbara County due to the effects of the Alamo and Whittier fires, which have burned thousands of acres, damaged agriculture, businesses and critical infrastructure including power lines, threatened homes and caused the evacuation of residents.

Link to Governor’s Proclamation’s page:  https://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=19876

The full text of the proclamation is below:

PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS on July 6, 2017, the Alamo Fire, and on July 8, 2017 the Whittier Fire, began burning and have rapidly burned thousands of acres of land and continue to burn in Santa Barbara County; and

WHEREAS these fires have destroyed structures and continue to threaten homes, necessitating the evacuation of residents; and

WHEREAS these fires have damaged and continue to threaten critical infrastructure, including major power lines, and have forced … continue reading »

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
1 Comment | Join the Conversation!

California’s Fire Mutual Aid System Mobilizing Hundreds of Resources to Wildfires Throughout the State

Jul 15, 2017 12:30 pm

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 15, 2017) — California’s firefighting mutual aid system continues working at full speed this weekend sending firefighters and resources from across the state to join the battle at 12 major wildfires threatening dozens of communities at both ends of the state.  As of Saturday, there were more than 400 engines, four dozen aircraft and over 7,000 personnel working on wildfires that have already burned as much as 159,000 acres statewide.

“Our tried-and-true mutual aid system is working just as designed. We’re strategically deploying a lot of resources to these wildfires regardless of where they’re burning,” said Mark Ghilarducci, Director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. “Our number one priority is to protect lives and property using the most effective combination of local, state and federal resources through a unified effort,” said … continue reading »

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments | Join the Conversation!

Zaca Fire Left its Mark on Santa Barbara County & the History Books

Jul 11, 2017 8:30 am

One of the largest fires in California’s history began on July 4th, 2007. Officials determined sparks ignited the blaze – not from fireworks, but from a grinder used by two men working to fix a pipe.
The Zaca Fire became the largest fire in Santa Barbara County history.

It took almost three months to contained and burned more than 240,000 acres, making it California’s second largest fire at the time (it now ranks number 4 on the list.) The cost more than 118 million dollars to fight, a price that would have certainly gone up had it not burned away from population centers into rugged areas of the San Rafael Mountains in the Los Padres National Forest. It destroyed only one building, a Forest Service outbuilding.  No fatalities resulted from the fire, but two pilots were … continue reading »

Tags: , , , , , , ,
No Comments | Join the Conversation!

May 6th is National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

May 5, 2017 4:45 pm

Across the country, communities will come together on Saturday, May 6th for National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day to raise awareness and reduce wildfire risk. This event encourages everyone to plan or participate in an activity in their community that promotes reducing risk and raising awareness when it comes to wildfire.

Preparing for wildfire with your family and community is a great idea in a state like California that has had more than its fair share of wildfires. A resource and ideas page has been developed by the National Fire Protection Association for National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day – just click here.

The risk of wildfire in California is real and steps can be taken all year long to prepare. California is regularly reminded of the powerful destruction of wildfires. In recent history, California has been scorched by large … continue reading »

Tags: , ,
No Comments | Join the Conversation!

Subscribe to Cal OES

Stay connected with the Cal OES Newsroom!