Newsom signs state of emergency to support California communities recovering from wildfires
Governor Gavin Newsom signed a state of emergency on Thursday morning to support California communities recovering from wildfires, following a visit to the Monterey Bay Area that saw heavy brush fires continue to menace the communities around San Francisco.
At a news conference in San Francisco, Newsom said that the state legislature approved his request on Thursday (July 9.)
“During my visit to the Monterey area yesterday, I met with many first responders and county officials who have been involved with these fires,” said Newsom.
“It pains me deeply to see these communities and their citizens suffer. As a state, we must work together to recover from this natural disaster.
“During my visit, I met with first responders and county officials who have been involved with these fires. It pains me deeply to see these communities and their citizens suffer. As a state, we must work together to recover from this natural disaster.
“First and foremost, we must do nothing to undermine California’s strength, creativity, and resilience. We must put aside ideology and political division to work together with California’s communities to support them.”
Earlier this month, state of emergency was issued for a total of 33 counties.
According to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the state of emergency authorizes law enforcement, and the California National Guard, to support disaster response and recovery efforts. The orders will remain in effect until January 2020, when the new laws go into effect.
The law also authorizes the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to immediately respond to wildfires from July 15 to September 30, 2019.
Gov. Newsom visited the Monterey area, including Big Sur, the morning of July 9.
“This is a difficult time for everyone who knows the residents, cares about them, and worries about them. We want to be out there with them,” said Newsom.
“The governor traveled to the Monterey peninsula this week to meet with a delegation of local first responders and firefighters to assess the progress they’re making,” said Newsom. “We took special interest in Big Sur, where we saw first hand the efforts being made by communities to contain the fires. We are providing resources to