On 3 September 2024, the Board of Supervisors convened in a Special Meeting to ratify a proclamation of local emergency as a result of the Coffeepot Fire and ratify all orders issued by the county’s Director of Emergency Services. The Board of supervisors also reaffirmed the existence of emergencies resulting from the March 2023 storm events.

In the meeting, which was attended by Larry Micari, Pete Vander Poel, Eddie Valero, and Dennis Townsend, Fire Chief Chief Norman and Deputy Fire Chief McLaughlin presented an update on the Coffeepot Fire. It was then moved by Dennis Townsend and seconded by Eddie Valero to ratify a Proclamation of Local Emergency due to Wildfire for the 2024 Coffeepot Fire issued by the Director of Emergency Services on August 28, 2024 and ratify all orders issued by the Director of Emergency Services, or successor, between August 28, 2024, and September 2, 2024 related to the Proclamation of Local Emergency due to Wildfire for the 2024 Coffeepot Fire. The motion passed 4-0.

The proclamation declares that a local wildfire emergency situation exists and requests that the state Governor proclaim Tulare County to be in a State of Emergency and provide financial and other assistance to help county and other agencies respond to the wildfire emergency. 

The meeting documents are available on the Board of Supervisors website.