DATE: June 28, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Paul Nerland, County Administrative Officer/Emergency Services Director
SUBJECT: Proclamation and Ratification of the existence of a Local Emergency - 2024 Fresno June Lightning Complex Fire
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt Resolution proclaiming and ratifying a Local Emergency, as a result of the 2024 Fresno June Lightning Complex Fire.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will ensure that the local emergency status proclaimed by the Emergency Services Director on June 26, 2024, remains in effect and allows for the potential recovery of eligible costs.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
No viable options are available.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The recommended action is necessary to ensure specific liability protection, emergency powers of the Emergency Services Director, and potential recovery of eligible costs, if any, from State and Federal emergency funds.
DISCUSSION:
California Government Code (GC), section (§) 8630 authorizes proclamation of a local emergency by your Board or by an official so designated by ordinance when your Board is not in session and cannot immediately be called into session. Fresno County Ordinance Code, Chapter 2.44, designates the County Administrative Officer as the Emergency Services Director. Pursuant to County Ordinance, your Board is requested to confirm the proclamation of a local emergency within seven days by ratifying the proclamation and adopting the resolution.
Commencing on June 25, 2024, the Fresno June Lighting Complex Fire adversely impacted the residents, visitors, businesses, utility infrastructure and natural resources within the mountain communities of Bear Mountain, Wonder Valley, and Yokuts Valley areas of the County. The magnitude and rapid rate of growth of this wildfire is unprecedented in the County of Fresno.
Pursuant to GC, §8630 and County Ordinance, Chapter 2.44 on June 26, 2024, due to the rapid rate of growth of the wildfire, the Emergency Services Director proclaimed the existence of a local emergency.
County Ordinance, Chapter 2.44 requires your Board to review the need to continue the local emergency at least once every 60 days until terminated. The local emergency must be terminated at the earliest possible date when conditions warranting the proclamation have ended.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Resolution
Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander