To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Counsel, Emergency Management
Staff Name and Phone Number: Elizabeth Coleman, Diana Gomez X2421
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Ratification of proclamation of local emergency due to the Kincade Fire, exacerbated by the extreme fire danger weather created by successive wind events and corresponding de-energization in the Sonoma County Operational Area.
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a resolution ratifying the proclamation of local emergency in the Sonoma County Operational area due to the Kincade Fire and the continuing extreme fire danger created by an unprecedented series of wind events and the corresponding de-energization of large portions of the electrical system in the County.
end
Executive Summary:
This item requests the Board of Supervisors to adopt a resolution ratifying the proclamation of local emergency by the Director of Emergency Services due to the Kincade Fire that began on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, and extreme fire danger exacerbated by an unprecedented series of wind events with historic maximum wind speeds and corresponding de-energization of large portions of the electric grid in the Sonoma County Operational area. Sonoma County Code Chapter 10, article 1(b) provides authority for the Director of Emergency Services to issue a proclamation of local emergency if the Board of Supervisors is not in session, subject to ratification by the Board within 7 days. On October 24, 2019, at approximately 9:37 a.m., the Director of Emergency Services proclaimed the Existence of a Local Emergency.
Discussion:
Pacific Gas & Electric ("PG&E"), instituted de-energization in the Sonoma County Operational area beginning at approximately 2:15 pm on October 23, 2019, due to extreme fire danger weather. In response, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated at approximately 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, to assist with managing the impacts of de-energization.
The Kincade Fire, a fast-moving wildland and urban fire erupted around 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, and has caused widespread destruction, burning 76,825 acres as of October 30, 2019, and destroying 206 structures-including the loss of 94 homes.
The County initially issued advisory evacuation notices to impacted areas of Sonoma County and shortly thereafter, issued mandatory evacuation notices to several areas in the path of the fire. Shelter was made available at various locations throughout the County, and first responders have been actively engaged since the fire began.
The conditions of extreme peril caused by the Kincade Fire were exacerbated by the de-energization program of PG&E, which left more than half of the County without electricity and impacted both residents and community operations, including critical public infrastructure and services, in the fire impacted areas, and which will require the provision of additional public safety and emergency services notwithstanding impaired response capability caused by the de-energization. These de-energization events were necessitated by an unprecedented series of wind events that saw peak wind gusts of historic proportions. The largest of the wind events commenced on Saturday, October 26, 2019, leading PG&E to shut off power to 95,647 customers in the Sonoma County Operational Area and saw wind driven flames nearly double the size of area burned by the Kincade Fire.
A third wind even commenced on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, into Wednesday, October 30, 2019, further exacerbating the extreme fire danger and creating high fire-risk conditions and low humidity that are expected to linger. Full containment of the Kincade Fire is not expected until at least November 7, 2019. The extremely dry conditions, coupled with the ongoing Kincade Fire, have resulted in conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property will continue within the County because of the damage caused and ongoing threat of the Kincade Fire, and the potential for additional fires that could ignite in the County.
The Director of Emergency Services issued a Proclamation of Existence of Local Emergency in the Sonoma County Operational Area on Thursday, October 24, 2019. Ratifying the Proclamation will continue the local emergency, make available to the County/Operational Area state and local mutual aid, and allow for any state emergency funding if it is made available.
Staff recommends that the Board ratify the Director of Emergency Services proclamation of local emergency in order to meet the seven day period a proclamation can remain in force without
Board ratification. This emergency proclamation lasts for a duration of 60 days and may be extended by the Board for additional 60 day periods. When conditions improve, staff will request the Board formally terminate the emergency.
The proclamation also gives the County Administrator authority to make decisions regarding pay for the County workforce given the impacts of the Kincade Fire on County facilities and required County service and facility closures. (CC)
Prior Board Actions:
October 22, 2019, the Board of Supervisor’s passed a Resolution Ratifying the Proclamation of A Local Emergency Due To Potential PG&E De-Energization Of The Electrical Systems In The Sonoma County Operational Area.
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
Resolution Ratifying Proclamation of Local Emergency
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None