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Based Upon the Nature and Scope of the Existing Fire, the Extreme

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Based Upon the Nature and Scope of the Existing Fire, the Extreme DECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY On December 5, 2017, I, as Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, and pursuant to the provisions of Los Angeles Administrative Code Section 8.27, declared the existence of a Local Emergency for a fire referred to as the “Creek Fire” burning in the Sylmar/Sunland area of the San Fernando Valley, which continues to pose significant risk to life and property and continues to require assistance from fire fighting resources from Los Angeles County, the US Forestry Service, and Cal Fire. In the early morning hours of December 6, 2017, another dynamic and fast moving brush fire broke out in the hilly terrain adjacent to the 405 Freeway in the area between the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles, in the general area of both the Skirball Cultural Center and Getty Center (“Skirball Fire”), causing already overextended City Fire resources to be diverted to battle this blaze. The Fire has posed a threat to local cultural institutions, necessitated the evacuation of homes, caused the destruction of residential property, closure of numerous schools, and significant impacts to traffic including the closure of a major freeway. There are impacts to surrounding communities due to unhealthy air conditions. The continuation of adverse weather conditions (escalating wind and low humidity) expected in the City over the next 3-5 days is creating a heightened challenge to the containment of this fire, the response to which is necessarily beyond the capabilities of the City’s normal services, personnel, equipment and facilities requiring mutual aid assets from throughout the County. Multiple City responses and the continued threat requires the need to declare the Local Emergency for the Skirball Fire. Based upon the nature and scope of the existing fire, the extreme challenge to containment posed by existing and anticipated weather conditions, and persons/property at continued risk, and in the interest of public safety, there exists the potential that said incident has or is likely to become beyond the control of the normal services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the regularly constituted branches and departments of the City Government; and The continuation of this incident threatens to cause the loss of life and property. I NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to Los Angeles Administrative Code Section 8.27, hereby declare the existence of a Local Emergency and direct the Emergency Operations Organization (EOO) to be immediately activated to take such steps that are necessary for the protection o^ life and property in the affected area. I FURTHER DIRECT that all City Departments impacted by this event, and its ongoing effects continue to conduct damage assessments and collect cost estimates for the purpose of seekim State and Federal disaster assistance. FURTHER REQUEST that the County Board of Supervisors proclaim a Local Emergency. I FURTHER REQUEST that the Governor of California, pursuant to the Emergency Services Act, issue a proclamation declaring an emergency in Los Angeles County; that the Governor waive regulations that may hinder response and recovery efforts; that recovery assistance be made available under the California Disaster Assistance Act; and that the State expedite access to State and Federal resources and any other appropriate federal disaster relief programs. I FURTHER DIRECT that the Declaration of Local Emergency shall take effect immediately and that widespread publicity and notice shall be given said declaration through the most feasible and adequate means of disseminating such notice throughout the City. Dated at Los Angeles, California Date: uM/7- Time: 10 >11________ Filed with the City Clerk Date: Time: By: 7^—k— ERIC GARCETTI Mayor.
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