Emergency Proclamations, Executive Orders, and Secretarial Suspensions
Wildfire Risk – Fast-Tracking Critical Fuels Reduction Projects (2025)
- On March 1, 2025, the Governor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist within the State of California due to catastrophic wildfire risks created by forest conditions across the state. The proclamation ordered the suspension of statutes, rules, regulations, and requirements within the jurisdiction of the boards, departments and offices of the California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Natural Resources Agency to the extent necessary for expediting critical fuels reduction projects. Any such activities must be conducted consistent with the Statewide Fuels Reduction Environmental Protection Plan. Individuals or entities who desire to conduct activities under any such suspension must request that the appropriate Agency Secretary make a determination that the proposed activities are eligible to be conducted under the suspension. Individuals or entities may submit a single request to both the CalEPA and CNRA Secretaries here. Information about project eligibility and answers to other frequently asked questions are available here. Suspension authorizations granted by CalEPA will also be posted here.
Southern California Wildfires (2025)
- On January 7, 2025, the Governor proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties due to the Los Angeles County Fires and Windstorm Event. On January 8, 2025, the Governor issued Executive Order N-2-25 and ordered the suspension of statutes, rules, regulations, and requirements within the jurisdiction of the boards, departments and offices of CalEPA to the extent necessary for expediting the removal and cleanup of debris from these fires or to address other impacts associated with that debris. Any such activities must be conducted consistent with the State Environmental Protection Plan. Individuals or entities who desire to conduct activities under any such suspension must request the CalEPA Secretary to make a determination that the proposed activities are eligible to be conducted under the suspension.
- On January 29, 2025, Secretary Garcia granted a suspension authorization to the United States Army Corps of Engineers to oversee removal and cleanup of debris from the Los Angeles County Fires or to address other impacts associated with that debris. The authorization suspends Water Code, section 13160 and all regulations pursuant to that section, and Water Code section 13260, and regulations pursuant to that section. The suspension authorization is valid only to the extent the United States Army Corps of Engineers and its contractors comply with the State Environmental Protection Plan.
Mountain Fire (2024)
- On November 7, 2024, the Governor proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist in Ventura County due to the Mountain Fire. November 8, 2024, the Governor issued Executive Order N-6-24 and ordered the suspension of statutes, rules, regulations, and requirements within the jurisdiction of the boards, departments and offices of CalEPA to the extent necessary for expediting the removal and cleanup of debris from these fires or to address other impacts associated with that debris. Any such activities must be conducted consistent with the state Environmental Protection Plan. Individuals or entities who desire to conduct activities under any such suspension must request the CalEPA Secretary to make a determination that the proposed activities are eligible to be conducted under the suspension.
- On January 16, 2025, Secretary Garcia granted a suspension authorization request to Ventura County to conduct activities for removal and cleanup of debris from the Mountain Fire or to address other impacts associated with that debris. The authorization suspends Water Code, section 13160 and all regulations pursuant to that section, and Water Code section 13260, and regulations pursuant to that section. The suspension authorization is valid only to the extent Ventura County and its contractors comply with the State Environmental Protection Plan.
Park, Thompson, Borel and Boyles Wildfires (2024)
- On October 10, 2024, Secretary Garcia granted a suspension authorization request to CalRecycle to oversee the removal and cleanup of debris from the Park, Thompson, Borel and Boyles Wildfires or to address other impacts associated with that debris. In particular, CalRecycle proposes to engage in the following activities under the suspension authorization: Prepare, remove, transport, and recycle or dispose of metals, ash, debris, concrete foundations and flatwork, potentially dangerous trees, and contaminated soil on residential properties included in the state debris removal operations. The authorization suspends Water Code, section 13160 and all regulations pursuant to that section, and Water Code section 13260, and regulations pursuant to that section. The suspension authorization is valid only to the extent CalRecycle and its contractors comply with the state Environmental Protection Plan.
- On July 3, 2024, the Governor proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist in Butte County due to the Thompson Fire. On July 26, 2024, the Governor proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist in Butte and Tehama Counties due to the Park Fire. On July 30, 2024, the Governor proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist in Kern County due to the Borel Fire. On September 29, 2024, the Governor proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist in Lake County due to the Boyles Fire. In the September 29, 2024 Proclamation and Executive Order N-4-24, the Governor ordered the suspension of statutes, rules, regulations, and requirements within the jurisdiction of the boards, departments and offices of CalEPA to the extent necessary for expediting the removal and cleanup of debris from these fires or to address other impacts associated with that debris. Any such activities must be conducted consistent with the state Environmental Protection Plan. Individuals or entities who desire to conduct activities under any such suspension must request the CalEPA Secretary to make a determination that the proposed activities are eligible to be conducted under the suspension.