Santa Paula council declares local emergency as mountain fire threatens area

The Santa Paula City Council added and then adopted a resolution declaring a local emergency related to a mountain fire near South Mountain and the Santa Clara River, voting unanimously to place the item on the agenda and then to adopt the proclamation.

City Manager Singer told the council additional resources had been mobilized and that the city was coordinating with the county Office of Emergency Services and the Red Cross to stand up shelters if evacuations became necessary. "At this point in time, there's not an imminent threat to the city of Santa Paula, but we do, stand ready," Singer said. He said crews were creating a perimeter on South Mountain and that some streets and access points were being closed to allow first responders to work.

Police/public safety staff urged residents to sign up for official alert systems and follow instructions in any evacuation notice. A city chief described mutual-aid firefighting activity and the city's temporary daytime sheltering at the community center, and noted the city posted updates and a link to vcemergency.com on the city's website for road closures and status information. "We have placed a link to vcemergency.com on the homepage of our city website," the chief said.

The council also discussed consumer protections tied to a proclamation; counsel pointed out a local price-control provision and confirmed that emergency declarations are effective for 60 days absent council action to extend or terminate them. The council asked staff to coordinate with county agencies, update alert contact points and return with any necessary procedural extensions or actions.