Governor Brown Orders Wildfire Awareness and Prevention

In anticipation of wildfire season, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. today issued an Executive Order giving state agencies and departments additional resources to prepare for and prevent wildfires in California.

The text of the Executive Order is below:

EXECUTIVE ORDER B-08-11

WHEREAS California faces an imminent threat of catastrophic wildfires notwithstanding this year’s higher than average precipitation; and

WHEREAS wildfires imperil people and property, harm the environment, threaten water supplies, create health risks, and hurt the economy; and


WHEREAS coordinated fire-prevention efforts and strong initial responses to wildfires help protect lives, property, and the environment.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Edmund G. Brown Jr., Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the Constitution and statutes of the State of California, do hereby issue the following orders to become effective immediately:

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) secure and deploy additional resources as necessary to protect people and property from wildfires during periods of elevated fire risk.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the California National Guard prepare its equipment and staff to respond to major wildfires, and report to Cal EMA weekly on the status of its aircraft.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, including the Division of Juvenile Justice, assign minimum-custody or camp-approved inmates and wards to Conservation Camp Fire Crews on a priority basis.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the California Conservation Corps report to CAL FIRE daily on the readiness of its support crews for wildfire response.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, to the extent authorized by applicable law, the purchasing authority of CAL FIRE and Cal EMA (and other State agencies and departments as deemed necessary by the Secretary of Cal EMA) is raised to $100,000 to expedite the contracts necessary to prepare and respond to emergencies during this fire season.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Department of General Services, in coordination with Cal EMA, establish short- and long-term procurement procedures to secure the unique goods and services that may be required to support communities in a fire emergency.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that CAL FIRE and Cal EMA continue their efforts to inform and educate the public about fire prevention, including providing information to homeowners on defensible-space requirements and ignition-resistant building materials.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that CAL FIRE and Cal EMA work closely with federal, state, and local government agencies, and bordering states in the United States and Mexico to maximize California's fire prevention and firefighting capabilities, and to provide appropriate reciprocal assistance when requested.

This Order is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, against the State of California, its agencies, departments, entities, officers, employees, or any other person.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Order be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given to this Order.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 13th day of June 2011.