HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11g - Terminating Local Emergency
DATE: April 15, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager
By: Justine Bruno, Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 7626 TERMINATING THE PROCLAMATION OF
LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING THE JANUARY 2025 WINDSTORM
AND EATON FIRE
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Adopt
SUMMARY
On January 13, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 7616, ratifying the
Proclamation of Local Emergency, issued by the City Manager, acting as the Director of
Emergency Services, in response to the January 2025 Windstorm and Eaton Fire. As of
January 31, 2025, the Eaton Fire reached full containment and most of the significant
debris and down tree limbs from the windstorm had been cleared and removed. With the
high winds and wildfire events concluded, and the risk of mud and debris flow from winter
storms diminished, it is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 7626,
terminating the Proclamation of Local Emergency for the January 2025 Windstorm and
Eaton Fire as of March 18, 2025.
BACKGROUND
Beginning on January 7, 2025, a significant windstorm and fire event impacted the City
of Arcadia and the broader Los Angeles region. Winds ranging from 80-100 mph spurred
several fires throughout the region, with the Eaton Fire threatening the City of Arcadia’s
urban-wildland interface. As a result of the wind event, Arcadia suffered extensive fallen
trees and limbs, vegetation damage, and debris clean-up throughout the City, which
required over three weeks to substantially clear with the assistance of the City’s
contractors for landscaping, tree maintenance, and waste hauling.
Fire impacts were concentrated in the urban-wildland interface and included a total loss
of a storage structure and radio repeater, as well as damage to the netting at the Par 3
Golf Course, a retaining wall, fencing and other ornamental vegetation. Damages from
the January 2025 Windstorm and Eaton Fire are estimated at $2.66 million and
Resolution No. 7626 – Terminating Local Emergency
April 15, 2025
Page 2 of 3
reimbursement is being pursued from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(“FEMA”) and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (“CalOES”).
DISCUSSION
California Government Code Section 8630, et seq., authorizes the City Council to
proclaim the existence of a local emergency to protect and preserve public welfare when
the City is impacted by an emergency. As such, the City Council ratified the Proclamation
of Local Emergency for the January 2025 Windstorm and Eaton Fire on January 13, 2025.
Also under Government Code Section 8630(c), the City Council must review the need for
continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days. If continuance of the local
emergency proclamation is no longer needed, the City Council shall proceed with
termination.
The Eaton Fire further damaged hillsides that were last scarred by the Bobcat Fire in
2020, creating mud and debris flow from rainstorms that occurred in February and March
2025. In response to these storms, protective barriers were installed along key pathways
on the hillside to protect Arcadia homes and property. Despite protective measures, one
neighborhood in north Arcadia was covered in several inches of mud and debris, requiring
extensive labor from City crews to remove and clean.
Upon further consultation with the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency
Management, any debris and mudflow resulting from future rainstorms will be treated as
its own emergency, separate and distinct from the Eaton Fire and Windstorm events.
Upon this determination, it is recommended that the declaration of local emergency for
the January 2025 Windstorm and Eaton Fire be terminated with an effective date of March
18, 2025.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action of terminating an emergency declaration does not constitute a
project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines per Section
15061(b)(3), as it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
During the declaration of local emergency for the January 2025 Windstorm and Eaton
Fire, the City submitted estimated costs for damages and emergency response totaling
$2,657,950. These costs are expected to qualify for at least partial reimbursement from
state and federal agencies. The City has also submitted claims to its insurance carriers
for the damage to City facilities. There are no direct fiscal impacts associated with
terminating the emergency declaration.
Resolution No. 7626 – Terminating Local Emergency
April 15, 2025
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a
project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and adopt Resolution
No. 7626 terminating the Proclamation of Local Emergency regarding the January 2025
Windstorm and Eaton Fire.
Attachment: Resolution No. 7626
