REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 15, 2020
FROM
GARY McBRIDE, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title v
Proclamation of Local Emergency - El Dorado Fire
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Ratify action taken by the Director of Emergency Services on September 11, 2020 proclaiming the existence of a local emergency as a result of the El Dorado fire impacting San Bernardino County.
2. Continue the local emergency, which still exists and continues to be an emergency, for an additional period in accordance with Government Code section 8630(c).
(Presenter: Daniel Munoz, Emergency Services Manager, 356-3998)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not require the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost) as there is no cost or financial impact associated with ratifying the proclamation or continuing this local emergency. However, the County has incurred significant costs resulting from this emergency. The preliminary damage estimate is still under review. This estimate will include damage to public systems, roads and businesses, as well as the cost for debris removal. These costs, which are not fully determined at this time, could potentially require the use of additional Discretionary General Funding. Should this occur, a future item will be submitted to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for approval.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Beginning September 5, 2020, a vegetation fire started at El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa. This wind driven fire swept across portions of Yucaipa, Oak Glen, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, Angelus Oaks, Heart Bar, Barton Flats, and surrounding areas in San Bernardino County. The fire continues to threaten structures and has temporarily caused the closure of Highway 38, a major mountain artery. The fire has also caused power outages, interrupted cellular service, and produced hazardous air quality conditions.
On September 6, 2020, the Governor of California declared a state of emergency due to the extreme heat and various fires burning throughout the state, including the El Dorado Fire in San Bernardino County. Because of the extensive damage resulting from this fire, on September 11, 2020, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), while serving as the Director of Emergency Services, proclaimed the existence of a local emergency. Approval of this item will ratify that action taken by the CEO and will continue the local emergency as conditions threatening the safety of persons and property may still exist.
Pursuant to Government Code section 8630(C), the Board shall review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days until the Board terminates the local emergency.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Richard Luczak, Deputy County Counsel, 387-
3413) on September 11, 2020; Finance (Tom Forster, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635) on September 11, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on September 11, 2020.