California’s governor, Jerry Brown, has declared a state of emergency for a very fast-moving wildfire that is burning near Yosemite, CA today.

The fire is named the Detwiler fire.

Thousands of residents from Mariposa County have been forced to evacuate. The entire town of Mariposa has been evacuated.

At least 1 structure has been burned by the fire and at least 300 structures are reported to be threatened, according to CAL FIRE.

About 800 fire personnel are fighting this fire.

Highway 140 into Yosemite is currently closed due to the fire.

Many local Mariposa County roads are closed due to the fire.

The Detwiler fire began on Sunday and rapidly burned over 24-square-miles of terrain.

The Detwiler fire had burned 19,600-acres as of Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters only have the fire 5% contained at this time.

The smoke from this fire is filling up the Tahoe basin and affecting Reno, NV today

According to fire officials, record rain and snow caused large amounts of grass and brush to grow this winter and spring which has giving California fires enormous amounts of fuel to consume.

“SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an emergency proclamation for Mariposa County due to the effects of the Detwiler Fire, which has burned thousands of acres, damaged power, water and communication infrastructure, threatened homes and caused the evacuation of residents.” – Office of the Governor, today

PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

by Office of the Governor

July 18th, 2017

WHEREAS on July 16, 2017, the Detwiler Fire started in Mariposa County and has rapidly burned thousands of acres of land and continues to burn; and

WHEREAS this fire has destroyed structures and continues to threaten homes, necessitating the evacuation of thousands of residents; and

WHEREAS the fire has damaged power, water, and communication infrastructure, and has forced the closure of major highways and local roads; and

WHEREAS extreme weather conditions and high temperatures have further increased the risk of fires; and

WHEREAS the Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted a Fire Management Assistance Grant to assist with the mitigation, management, and control of the Detwiler Fire; and

WHEREAS the circumstances of this fire by reason of its magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of any single local government and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8558(b) of the Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exists in Mariposa County due to the Detwiler Fire; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8571 of the Government Code, I find that strict compliance with the various statutes and regulations specified in this order would prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the Detwiler Fire.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the State Constitution and statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, section 8625 of the Government Code, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist in Mariposa County.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

1. All agencies of the state government utilize and employ state personnel, equipment, and facilities for the performance of any and all activities consistent with the direction of the Office of Emergency Services and the State Emergency Plan. Also, all citizens are to heed the advice of emergency officials with regard to this emergency in order to protect their safety.

2. The California National Guard shall mobilize as necessary under Military and Veterans Code section 146 (mobilization in case of catastrophic fires) to support disaster response and relief efforts and shall coordinate with all relevant state agencies, including the Office of Emergency Services, and all relevant state and local emergency responders and law enforcement within the impacted areas.

3. The Office of Emergency Services shall provide local government assistance to Mariposa County, if appropriate, under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act, Government Code section 8680 et seq., and California Code of Regulations, Title 19, section 2900 et seq.

4. The provisions of Unemployment Insurance Code section 1253 imposing a one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance applicants are suspended as to all applicants who are unemployed as a direct result of the Detwiler Fire who applied for unemployment insurance benefits during the time period beginning July 17, 2017 and ending on the close of business on January 17, 2018, and who are otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

5. Vehicle Code sections 9265(a), 9867, 14901, 14902, and 15255.2, requiring the imposition of fees, are suspended with regard to any request for replacement of a driver’s identification card, vehicle registration certificate, or certificate of title, by any individual who lost such records as a result of the Detwiler Fire. Such records shall be replaced without charge.

6. The provisions of Vehicle Code sections 4602 and 5902, requiring the timely registration or transfer of title are suspended with regard to any registration or transfer of title by any resident of Mariposa County who is unable to comply with those requirements as a result of the Detwiler Fire. The time covered by this suspension shall not be included in calculating any late penalty pursuant to Vehicle Code section 9554.

7. Health and Safety Code sections 103525.5 and 103625, and Penal Code section 14251, requiring the imposition of fees, are hereby suspended with regard to any request for copies of certificates of birth, death, marriage, and dissolution of marriage records, by any individual who lost such records as a result of the Detwiler Fire. Such copies shall be provided without charge.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Proclamation be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this Proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 18th day of July 2017.

_____________________________

EDMUND G. BROWN JR.

Governor of California

ATTEST:

_____________________________

ALEX PADILLA

Secretary of State