As firefighters make gradual progress on the massive Palisades Fire, the Los Angeles City Council Tuesday extended a declaration of local emergency.
In a unanimous vote, the council ratified Mayor Karen Bass’ declaration of a local emergency due to the “life-threatening, destructive, widespread windstorm and extreme fire weather system.”
Members also approved a recommendation from Councilman John Lee to include in the proclamation a provision to close all open space parks located in high fire-hazard severity zones during all future red flag days.
“We’ll have a more comprehensive program moving forward of what exact parks we should close down during these days, but as of right now, we’re asking that to be included as a measure to hopefully control and keep our parks safe,” Lee said.
On Jan. 7, extreme Santa Ana winds fanned the flames of a fire that broke out in the Pacific Palisades, which has since grown to nearly 24,000 acres with 17% containment.
That same day, Mayor Karen Bass agreed to issue a declaration of a local emergency. But as she was returning from an overseas trip to Ghana, Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, acting as mayor, signed the proclamation.
County and state officials issued similar proclamations as part of emergency response efforts for the Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire in Altadena, and other fires that erupted in the L.A. area.
Within the city’s jurisdiction, firefighters responded to the Hurst Fire in Sylmar, Woodley Fire in the Sepulveda Basin, the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills, the Sunswept Fire in Studio City, Archer Fire in Granada Hills and the Kenneth Fire in West Hills, which later burned into Ventura County.
All but the Palisades, Hurst and Eaton fires have been contained, according to Cal Fire. Though firefighters and residents remain on high alert with strong winds expected to return later Tuesday and Wednesday.
As of Tuesday, containment for the Hurst fire was at 97% and the Eaton Fire was at 35%.
The declaration of a local emergency allows the city to expedite emergency expenditures, bypass normal procedural requirements related to budgeting and contracting, and enact immediate safety orders.
Bass’ office has also stated it will help clear a path for a rapid recovery, as well as receive assistance from the state and federal government.
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors also ratified its emergency proclamation and approved motions related to recovery efforts during its Tuesday meeting.