DATE: July 11, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Jean M. Rousseau, County Administrative Officer / Emergency Services Director
SUBJECT: Continuation of Tree Mortality Local Emergency Status in Fresno County
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt Resolution proclaiming continuation of the local emergency status relating to the extremely high levels of tree mortality and hazardous conditions created by the drought and request that the Governor continue to provide resources and support to mitigate risk of falling trees and increased fire hazard.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will ensure the local emergency status remains in effect and permit 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:
On September 22, 2015, the Board approved a resolution requesting a state of emergency be proclaimed in the County due to the degraded forest conditions and imminent threat from catastrophic fires and extreme drought.
On January 29, 2016, California Department of Forestry and the Fire Prevention (CAL FIRE) awarded grant funding for the projects below, which have been completed:
* $199,594 to County Public Works to remove trees around roadways in the Highway 168 and 180 corridors;
* $100,000 to the Oak to Timberline Fire Safe Council to reduce hazardous fuels in the Pinehurst and Miramonte foothill communities; and,
* $100,000 to the HWY 168 Fire Safe Council to remove dead trees and fuels in the Meadow Lakes community.
On February 5, 2016, the formation of a Core Planning Team comprised of the County of Fresno - Office of Emergency Services (OES) and Public Works, CAL FIRE, Sierra and Sequoia National Forests, Caltrans, PG&E, Southern California Edison an...
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