Read the full Mountain Fire disaster declaration from Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom

A PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCYWHEREAS a wildfire started on July 15, 2013, and continues to burn in Riverside County; andWHEREAS the fire has burned over 24,000 acres, destroyed homes and commercial properties, and is threatening thousands of other residences and scores of other commercial properties, necessitating the evacuation of residents, and the opening of emergency shelters; and

WHEREAS on July 18, 2013, Riverside County proclaimed a local emergency and requested that I proclaim a state of emergency; and WHEREAS the circumstances of this wildfire, by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of any single county, city and county, or city 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 California Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exists within the County of Riverside due to these events.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Lieutenant 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 California Government Code, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist within Riverside County.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT 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 Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the State Emergency Plan.

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 19th day of July, 2013.

GAVIN NEWSOM

Lieutenant Governor of California