A Calfire firefighter sprays a home that was destroyed by the Thomas Fire in 2017.
ROB VARELA/NEWS-PRESS FILE
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors today will consider re-ratifying the emergency proclamation related to the Thomas Fire and Montecito mudslides.
The supervisors meet at 9 a.m. at the County Administration Building, 105 E. Anapamu St., fourth floor.
The Thomas Fire began Dec. 4, 2017 in Ventura County and spread to Santa Barbara County. At the time it was the largest wildfire in California history and caused outages, widespread damage and destruction, extensive smoke and ash, and hazardous air quality.
The Board of Supervisors responded by ratifying and re-ratifying a local emergency.
On Jan. 8, 2018, the board declared an additional local emergency after the prediction of a major storm. On Jan. 9 mud and debris flows occurred when the county experienced a 200-year rainfall event over watersheds burned during the Thomas Fire.
The disaster resulted in 23 deaths, destruction and damage of public and private property, closure of highways and roads, and displacements of residents and businesses.
President Donald Trump and Gov. Jerry Brown issued federal and state declarations that consolidated the Thomas Fire and Montecito mudslides under one emergency.
Today’s Board of Supervisors vote would re-ratify the combined Proclamation of Local Emergency. It’s part of the County Executive Office portion of the agenda.
Recovery efforts continue to address costs, rebuilding, infrastructure, debris storage and communication protocols.
The disaster-related Community Wellness Team continues to provide behavioral health, spiritual and emotional health services and has made more than 10,000 mental health contacts.
The county has released the latest numbers for structures affected by the Thomas Fire and mud and debris flow.
As of Jan. 4, 41 structures affected by the Thomas Fire remained red-tagged; 10, yellow-tagged; and 36, green-tagged.
Also as of Jan. 4, 112 structures impacted by the Jan. 9, 2018, mud and debris flow remain red-tagged; 139, yellow-tagged; and 385, green-tagged.
To see a map of the tagged structures, go to readysbc.org.
In other business today, the Board of Supervisors will consider setting hearings on an ordinance amending rules on licensing commercial cannabis operations.
The first hearing, which would take place April 2, would include the ordinance’s first reading.
The second hearing, which would be set for April 9, would cover the ordinance’s second reading and consideration of adoption.
Also today, the supervisors will consider recommendations regarding the end of the proclamation of local emergency caused by drought conditions.
The board also will review a resolution of concern about a prolonged water supply shortage in the county. The resolution is in response to concerns by local water purveyors.
To see the agenda, go to www.countyofsb.org.
