Today, Wednesday May 13th, Governor Newsom held his daily press conference in El Dorado County which profiled his approach to the wildfire season as well as updated the numbers seen for the COVID-19 pandemic. He also made comments geared toward budget enhancements for Cal-Fire and the Office of Emergency Services which will be part of tomorrow’s release of the May Revise.
As We Enter Fire Season (Response, Prevention, Preparedness) – Governor Newsom started out by reminding everyone that we are entering fire season though some argue that there are no longer fire seasons—more year-round challenge for all of us. He asked everyone to be mindful of the threats and anxiety that this time of year presents to people in addition to the current COVID-19 pandemic. He indicated that his office in collaboration with Cal-Fire has been stepping up efforts as fire season approaches.
The Governor’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2020-21 will include enhancements for wildfire preparation as well as suppression strategies. These strategies present opportunity for more resilience and recovery. Just this last year, 246 wildfires have occurred in California. When compared to the same period last year (January-May), California has seen a 60 percent increase. The below average year of rainfall and the substantially lower snowpack has reinforced the need to do more preparation. He announced last year that California was focusing on 200 vulnerable communities with 34 of 35 projects completed. These projects are focused on fuel and vegetation management. The Governor has called upon federal partners to help us in this effort. With the majority of land being federal land, he looks forward to more support from the federal government. He went on to state that in 2020, 450,000 acres will be advanced in terms of fuel and vegetation management as well as some prescribed burns and reforestation.
Newsom brought up Chief of Cal-Fire, Thom Porter, to talk more specifically about what to expect over the coming weeks and months during fire season. Chief Porter covered three things: Response, Prevention, and Preparedness. Chief Porter stated the importance of protecting lives, property and the lives of future generations. Investing now and continued investment in forest management is the key to success. He also stated the need for partnering with the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Fish & Wildlife Service. He stated the importance of a coordinated response especially in light of the pandemic. Chief Porter also called upon citizens to work on their defensible spaces and lend a hand to a neighbor when at all possible. Lastly, Chief Porter encouraged the crowd to go to readyforwildfire.org for very important information including checklists. Porter also mentioned the availability of a mobile app.
The Governor thanked the Director of the Office of Emergency Services, Mark Ghilarducci, for his advice and counsel and the good work his department is doing. He stated that OES’ mutual aid system is second to none. He went on to mention the western pact with western state governors and how that partnership forms a perfect bridge to the collective response in helping one another and supporting their wildfire efforts as well. Newsom stated: “It’s a good example of how the pandemic can bring together a spirit that transcends the crises as we move into other challenging times in our state and our nation.” The Governor reminded us that last year the top story was focusing our efforts in the Legislature and his office to assist investor-owned utilities to be more secure financially and more secure in their capacity to invest in the future.
Investor-Owned Utilities – The Governor updated the audience on efforts in regard to investor-owned utilities. He has created a Wildfire Advisory Committee that will become an independent entity but will initially reside within the California Public Utilities Commission. This team will oversee on a 24×7 basis the largest three investor-owned utilities. It’s a way of assuring oversight, accountability, and transparency to ensure these utilities are doing as they promised. He said to rest assured that he is taking these efforts seriously and holding companies accountable in ways that have not occurred in the past. Safety mitigation plans are part of this effort and are required to be certified by boards of these utilities and ultimately the CPUC. The Governor did want to recognize that PG&E has increased significantly the number of weather stations and cameras and committed to reduce the duration of power shut-offs by 50 percent.
Budget Enhancements for Office of Emergency Services and Cal-Fire – Budget enhancements for the Office of Emergency Services include providing ongoing monitoring for not only wildfires but other hazards including earthquakes and include $17.3 million for a seismic early warning system and the transfer of the Seismic Safety Commission into OES, a $38.2 million enhancement for disaster assistance, and an additional $9.2 million enhancement to their baseline support.
Cal-Fire’s budget proposal includes an $85 million enhancement to improve surge capacity and to hire roughly 600 critical personnel before the peak of fire season to protect people from wildfires and to mitigate their ferocity.
Key milestones – COVID-19 Numbers – as of today (5.13.20)
- 1,759 additional people tested positive yesterday.
- 32,222 individuals tested over the last 24 hours.
- 1,065,000 in total have been tested in California since testing began.
- 87 lives lost in the last 24 hours.
- Hospitalizations increased 0.5 percent in California (well within the one percent).
- ICU hospitalizations down three percent.
PPE Distributed statewide to date – as of today (5.13.20)
- N-95 Respirators – 45,302,956
- Procedure masks – 36,642,382
- Gowns – 1,127,643
- Face Shields – 4,327,000
- Gloves – 15,921,915
Questions and Answers – An LA Times reporter asked about the priority of funding of the fire and coronavirus responses and whether we are going to see cuts in some of our safety net programs and increases in taxes. He also asked what California should expect in the news ahead. Governor Newsom responded that the May Revise will be released at noon tomorrow. The Revise will lay out strategies and options. He also stated the numbers have radically changed but his values have not. The budget surplus of $6 billion only 90 days ago is now a deficit of tens of billions of dollars and that everything proposed in January cannot be done now. He went on to state that a letter signed by six governors and six legislative leaders from both houses have requested support from the federal government. He also cited Nancy Pelosi’s “Heroes Act” which will protect our heroes, our caregivers, and first responders.
Yuba Net News asked what sort of state assistance will be available in the northern and central Sierra Nevada foothill areas that are expecting to see a severe wildfire season this year. Specifically, will there be evacuation centers and/or special facilities for elderly people with Corona Virus who may need a clean area where there’s no smoke? Governor Newsom handed off this question to Mark Ghilarducci, Director of the Office of Emergency Services. Director Ghilarducci stated they are working with the Red Cross and sheriffs across the state. He indicated centers may be segregated and they are looking at a hotel solution where single rooms could be used instead of dormitories or gymnasiums.
A reporter from Cal-Matters and the Sacramento Bee asked if brush clearance and controlled burns are being reduced and whether the number of prison fire crews who can be put on these fires has been diminished. Governor Newsom asked Chief Porter to respond to this question. The chief indicated that his department is halfway to its goal of 45,000 to 50,000 acres of lands being treated across California just by Cal-Fire. That fuel reduction work will continue and a very extensive plan which was laid out during the last several years utilizing machinery and crews, prescribed burning, fuel reduction work, defensible space inspection program, and structure hardening, will truly protect the communities needing protection. Governor Newsom answered the question about fire camps by indicating that fire crews and fire camps are down by 80 crews. Part of what is being considered by the Legislature tomorrow is the need to increase firefighting personnel.
The Associated Press asked about traveling around the state between places that are less restrictive. The Governor stated that people traveling nonessentially between counties defeats the point and that large parts of the state are in unison in terms of their advisory but indicated that was a big challenge. A regional focus is necessary and encouraged and are part of the guidelines they have published.
There were several questions about Elon Musk and what kind of message does it send to small businesses that Tesla is operating its Fremont plan in direct violation of the health order. What, if anything, should the state do to crack down on that? Governor Newsom stated that manufacturing logistics are allowed to resume. The county has made public announcements that they have worked with Tesla, and put together a process to reopen. He further stated that any time there’s friction, he hopes to make progress.
A reporter from the Bay Area Reporter stated that earlier today in a conference call with reporters, LGBTQ blasted the Governor on not collecting health of those residents and whether they will be asked about their sexual orientation and gender identity when being tested? The governor stated that he cares deeply about that information being provided at the county level and is working with Scott Wiener and the and LGBTQ caucus. “For decades we’ve been underreporting issues in the LGBTQ community and that must change.” He further stated that this issue predates this pandemic and they hope to have a legislative effort that allows us to move forward together.
The Governor ended by thanking everybody and that there exists no greater fire service than Cal-Fire. They are dynamic and he couldn’t be prouder. He also encouraged everyone to continue the good work and to do what they can to achieve physical distancing, wear face coverings in public, and to continue to do your best to stay health, safe and connected.
In Other News – This afternoon Governor Newsom announced various appointments, including the appointment of a Director for the Office of Digital Innovation (ODI). “Udaya Patnaik, 46, of San Mateo, has been appointed director of the Office of Digital Innovation at the Government Operations Agency. Patnaik has been co-founder, senior partner and chief financial officer at Jump Associates since 1998.” You can find all of today’s appointments by the Governor here.