TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Ryan J. Alsop - Chief Executive Officer
REPORT BY: Shana A. Bagley, Deputy County Counsel
SUBJECT: Ratify Local Health Emergency Proclamation for the Pickett Fire
RECOMMENDATION
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SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM
Adopt a Resolution ratifying and continuing a Proclamation of a Local Health Emergency related to the Pickett Fire. (Fiscal Impact Unknown; Mandatory)
[4/5 vote required]
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BACKGROUND
On August 24, 2025, the Napa County Executive Officer proclaimed the existence of a local emergency due to fires in the unincorporated parts of Calistoga, Pope Valley, Aetna Springs, and Angwin in Napa County which started on August 21, 2025 (hereinafter referred to as the “Pickett Fire”). On August 26, 2025, the Napa County Executive Officer recommended that this action was ratified by the Board of Supervisors.
Conditions of the Pickett Fire have also created and are continuing to create debris which may be or become hazardous waste and a threat to public health. The threat to public health creates the immediate need to facilitate assistance and undertake preventive measures to protect the health of people and the environment. The declaration of local health emergency will enable additional State resources to be deployed to these efforts. CalOES requested, in addition to the declaration of local emergency, that the County also declare a local health emergency in order to trigger state assistance with clean-up of hazardous materials on private property and the local watershed. This assistance to the local watershed within Napa County is needed for timely implementation of necessary preventive measures.
California Health and Safety Code section 101080 confers upon the local health officer emergency powers necessary to protect public health and safety. By proclamation and declaration on August 25, 2025, Dr. Christine Wu, the Napa County Public Health Officer, proclaimed the existence of a local health emergency due to the imminent environmental threat to safe water supplies and hazardous waste and materials created by the Pickett Fire. The Board of Supervisors must ratify the proclamation and declaration and, if conditions warrant, continue to proclaim and declare until such time that the emergency conditions no longer exist.
It is requested that the Board adopt the attached resolution ratifying and continuing the local health emergency declared as a result of the Pickett Fire.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
No |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Uncertain. Adoption of this resolution could potentially lead to State or Federal reimbursement of County and other local costs |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Mandatory |
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Discretionary Justification: |
Approving this declaration may lead to the ability of the County and other local entities to obtain Federal and/or State reimbursement to cover response and recovery costs |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
The emergency declaration is assumed to be a one-time event, but dependent on the amount of time for activities related to the emergency the duration of the event may extend past this fiscal year. If this occurs, staff will budget accordingly next fiscal year. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If the resolution is not approved, the County may not be able to obtain Federal and/or State funds to provide public and individual assistance possibly made available. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.