Riverside County supervisors approved a local emergency proclamation Thursday connected to last week's deadly blaze in Calimesa, as well as three other wind-driven brush fires, enabling the county and victims to obtain assistance from state and federal sources.
The Board of Supervisors convened a special session at the County Administrative Center in downtown Riverside to ratify by unanimous vote an emergency declaration issued Friday by Emergency Management Department Director Bruce Barton.
"Many residents of western Riverside County have been impacted by the Sandalwood, Reche Canyon, Eagle and Wolf fire incidents," according to a statement attached to the board resolution. "The ongoing fire and aftermath will necessitate resources from both state and local entities. The Proclamation of Local Emergency begins the process to receive resources for assistance to first responders, residents and others impacted by the fires."