HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 09c - Terminating the Proclamation of Local Emergency regarding the Bobcat Fire
DATE: October 20, 2020
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager
By: Laena Shakarian, Management Analyst
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 7341 TERMINATING THE PROCLAMATION OF A
LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING THE BOBCAT FIRE
Recommendation: Adopt
SUMMARY
On September 15, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 7335 ratifying the
Proclamation of Local Emergency issued by the City Manager, acting as the Director of
Emergency Services, on September 8, 2020, to allocate City resources in response to
the Bobcat Fire. Since then, the Bobcat Fire containment has grown to 92% and efforts
by fire crews and the progression of the fire continues to move further away from Arcadia.
Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 7341 terminating
the Proclamation of a local emergency regarding the Bobcat Fire.
DISCUSSION
On September 6, 2020, the Bobcat Fire started in the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day
Use area in the Angeles National Forest. On September 8, 2020, the forecast called for
hot and dry conditions across the region along with a Santa Ana wind event that
threatened to force flames into Arcadia neighborhoods along the City’s urban-wildland
interface. In response, the City Manager activated the City’s Emergency Operations
Center and, in his capacity as Director of Emergency Services, issued a Proclamation of
Local Emergency. On September 15, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 7335
ratifying the Proclamation issued by the City Manager.
California Government Code Section 8630, et seq., and City of Arcadia Municipal Code
Section 2211.2 empower the City Council to proclaim the existence of a local emergency
to protect and preserve public welfare when the City is affected or likely to be affected by
an emergency. Under Government Code Section 8630(c), the City Council is required to
review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days until the
City Council terminates the local emergency. Additionally, Government Code Section
Resolution No. 7341 terminating the
local emergency regarding the Bobcat fire
October 20, 2020
Page 2 of 2
8630(d) requires the City Council to review the need for continuing the local emergency
at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant.
On September 19, 2020, the City of Arcadia, in coordination with the Bobcat Fire Unified
Command, lifted the evacuation warning for all affected residents. As of October 13, 2020,
the Bobcat Fire is now 92% contained. Fire lines due to natural burns and backfires set
by fire personnel have been established at the edge of the northern City limits to protect
the community should the fire change directions. The weather conditions which caused
the issuance of the Proclamation were determined to no longer constitute a threat
concerning expansion of the Bobcat Fire into neighborhoods along the City’s urban-
wildland interface. The hard work and efforts of the multi-agency firefighting crews and
cooperating partners resulted in significant containment. At this time, there is no
perceived threat to the City of Arcadia’s residents and their property due to the Bobcat
Fire. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council terminate the local emergency
order.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental
Quality Act (“CEQA”), per section 15269(c) of the CEQA Guidelines, Specific actions
necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency. Thus, this matter is exempt under
CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City of Arcadia, during the declaration of local emergency, submitted estimated
damages, which may qualify for state or federal reimbursement of certain expenditures
associated with disaster response related to the Bobcat Fire. There is no additional fiscal
impact related to ending the emergency declaration.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a
project and is therefore, exempt under, the California Environmental Quality Act
(“CEQA”); and adopt Resolution No. 7341 terminating the Proclamation of a local
emergency regarding the Bobcat Fire.
Attachment: Resolution No. 7341