Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency in Ventura County due to the Guiberson Fire that has burned over 6,000 acres, threatens hundreds of homes and other structures and has caused the mandatory evacuation of residents and opening of emergency shelters.

The text of the proclamation is below:

A PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS on September 22, 2009, the “Guiberson Fire” started in Ventura County and continues to burn; and

WHEREAS the fire has already burned over 6,000 acres and is zero percent contained; and

WHEREAS the fire threatens hundreds of homes and other structures, causing the mandatory evacuation of residents and opening of emergency shelters; and

WHEREAS on September 22, 2009, I requested, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency granted, a Fire Management Assistance Grant for this fire; and

WHEREAS on September 22, 2009, Ventura County declared a local emergency and requested that I declare a state of emergency; 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 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 exist due to the fire in Ventura County.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, 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 Ventura 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 my California Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Plan, and that the California Emergency Management Agency provide local government assistance under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act.

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 22nd day of September 2009.

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ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER

Governor of California

ATTEST:

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DEBRA BOWEN

Secretary of State