MATHER – After activating California’s State Operations Center in response to high winds and elevated fire-weather conditions, Governor Newsom today convened California’s top emergency response officials to prepare and protect at-risk communities. The Governor also proclaimed a state of emergency in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties to support local recovery from Tropical Storm Rachel after the storm brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, dangerous surf, coastal erosion, flooding concerns, and roadway disruptions across Southern California.

The Governor also proclaimed a state of emergency in Tuolumne County following the Dove Fire in July and issued an executive order to accelerate cleanup following the Gann Fire in August in Calaveras County. Together, today’s actions help communities move forward safely after severe weather and wildfires damaged infrastructure and essential transportation routes.

“California is confronting these threats head-on. As we surge resources to protect communities facing dangerous fire weather, we are also moving with urgency to clean up storm and fire damage and rapidly rebuild critical infrastructure. We will continue using every tool at our disposal to keep Californians safe and get communities back on their feet.”

Yesterday, Governor Newsom directed the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and CAL FIRE to preposition additional firefighters, engines, aircraft, and specialized equipment ahead of dangerous Santa Ana winds and Red Flag conditions. The early deployment strengthens local response capacity and ensures state resources are ready to move quickly as conditions change.

Alongside these proactive steps to protect Californians from immediate fire threats, Governor Newsom took action to help communities recover quickly.

A copy of the proclamation for Tropical Storm Rachel can be found here.

A copy of the proclamation for the Dove Fire can be found here.

A copy of the executive order for the Gann Fire can be found here.

Tropical Storm Rachel

Beginning October 11, Tropical Storm Rachel brought strong, gusty winds, heavy rainfall, hazardous surf and rip-current conditions to Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties. In combination with high tides and large swells, the storm created dangerous coastal conditions, significant sand movement and erosion, hazardous travel conditions, flood concerns, and widespread roadway disruptions.

The Governor’s proclamation makes state assistance available under the California Disaster Assistance Act and directs the California Department of Transportation to formally request federal assistance through the Federal Highway Administration for eligible repairs to storm-damaged highways and related infrastructure.

Supporting wildfire recovery

The Governor’s proclamation for Tuolumne County clears the way for state agencies to expedite the safe removal and disposal of hazardous debris from properties affected by the Dove Fire. The fire began July 26 near Highway 108 and Stockton Street, burned 226 acres, prompted mandatory evacuations, and destroyed 12 structures before reaching full containment on August 1.

The Governor’s executive order builds on the state of emergency already proclaimed for Calaveras County following the Gann Fire. The order authorizes the Secretaries of the California Environmental Protection Agency and California Natural Resources Agency to expedite debris and household hazardous waste removal, recovery work, and environmental restoration.

The Gann Fire ignited August 3, burned 10,339 acres, damaged or destroyed more than 50 structures and homes, and left widespread hazardous debris across Calaveras County.