Newsom signs state of emergency to support California communities recovering from wildfires
Governor Gavin Newsom today signed three more laws that support Californians in the wake of destructive wildfires that have ravaged communities, caused billions in damage and killed at least 20 people. Newsom and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) are working with FEMA and state agencies to support local firefighting efforts in the wake of the Woolsey Fire, which scorched over 13,000 acres of Malibu, Paradise, and other areas over the weekend with winds of up to 200 MPH.
State law allows local fire resources to be used in response to wildfires, but only in certain circumstances. Under the General Resources Act, local fire authorities may use resources that are not at the core of the fire department’s operations. Resource use must be carefully coordinated with those local fire departments that have the most experience with fires, and local fire departments must also be given the necessary funds to pay for the resources they use in response to a fire.
The new laws allow local first-responders to respond to fires outside their jurisdiction, and allow for resources to be used to fight major blazes, fire suppression and recovery efforts, and for training. Local agencies will also be required to conduct wildfire training, which will allow firefighters to better respond to wildfires and be prepared for the worst-case scenarios, and which will improve their ability to protect their communities.
To help local firefighting efforts in 2017, the law allows for grants to be awarded to local fire agencies to assist in local wildfire recoveries, and for certain additional state funds to be made available for communities that are facing a major wildfire disaster.
The new state law and resources also provide for the creation of a new non-profit entity “that will combine several of the state’s firefighting organizations and provide dedicated resources for wildfire support, preparedness, training and emergency response.” The new entity is being established to bring the resources of the California Fire Chiefs Association, the California Fire Chiefs Association of Los Angeles County, the California Fire Chiefs Association of Ventura County, the Los Angeles County Fire Chiefs, the Los Angeles Fire Chiefs and the Ventura County Fire Chiefs together to enable local fire departments to