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SACRAMENTO –Today, Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, along with Assemblyman Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale, submitted a letter to Governor Jerry Brown urging a State Declaration of Disaster in response to the recent Sand Fire in the Santa Clarita Valley.
“The Sand Fire has proven to be a force of destruction,” Wilk said. “I urge the governor to declare a state of disaster during this time of crisis. It is vital we do everything possible to safeguard the community's well-being and prevent worsening conditions. I commend our brave men and women fighting the flames on the frontlines, as well as those providing aid and assistance.”
On July 22, 2016, the Sand Fire began around 2:10 p.m. along the northbound Highway 14 at Soledad Canyon Road in Santa Clarita. The fire is now approximately 37,473 acres in size, 25% contained and has destroyed 18 structures. This forced the evacuation of roughly 10,000 homes, closed multiple public roads and caused multiple health concerns in the community.
“Thanks to the hard work of our first responders, the situation could have been much worse. However, with the scale and scope of a fire this large, we clearly need state assistance to help the community recover,” Lackey stated.