Powerhouse Fire: Local State of Emergency Declared

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors declared a local state of emergency today due to the Powerhouse Fire.

As damage from the fire -- which has burned more than 32,000 acres since May 30, damaged a total of 15 structures and destroyed six and is 60 percent contained -- is assessed, the declaration by county officials will waive regulations that might otherwise hinder recovery efforts.

Supervisor Michael Antonovich urged his colleagues to ratify the proclamation.

"Economic assistance is necessary for those businesses and individuals who may not be able to recover from this event," Antonovich said. "The overall dollar cost of this incident to the public and private sectors is still being assessed."

The board's vote was unanimous. The proclamation will be forwarded to the state Emergency Management Agency with a request that the governor make a proclamation under the California Disaster Assistance Act.