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Adopt the Solano County LNU Lightning Complex Recovery Strategic Plan to guide County agencies through the multi-year recovery and reimbursement process
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Solano County Office of Emergency Services and Resource Management recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt the Solano County 2020 LNU Lightning Complex Fire Recovery Strategic Plan to guide County agencies through the multi-year recovery and reimbursement process.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of the Solano County 2020 LNU Lightning Complex Fire Recovery Strategic Plan (Recovery Plan) is to provide the County with a blueprint to recover from the devastating effects of the August 2020 LNU Lightning Complex Fire. The Recovery Plan assigns roles and responsibilities to County agencies and identifies outside agencies who must coordinate in order to complete the recovery process. The Recovery Plan has been developed during the ongoing recovery process and is evolving as tasks are completed and as new information is received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES). The 2020 LNU Complex Fire Strategic Recovery Plan for Solano County will be updated quarterly by the Solano County Office of Emergency Services (County OES) in coordination with County, local, State, and Federal agencies. The updates will be posted to the County’s LNU website and copies sent to both State and Federal agencies and a copy of the update is sent to both and posted to the County’s LNU website.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost of drafting, maintaining and updating the Solano County 2020 LNU Lightening Complex Fire Recovery Strategic Plan will be borne by County OES, Resource Management, and the partner agencies. The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2020/21 Working Budget.
The County Administrator approved a contract with DEL Procurement Solutions (DEL) to assist with reimbursement claiming effective December 14, 2020. DEL is responsible for managing and coordinating cost reimbursement documentation associated with time spent by County personnel, all purchases and use of County disaster equipment associated with the County’s response to the LNU Lightning Complex fires including any mutual aid claims. DEL will also assist with the County’s submission to Cal-OES and FEMA. DEL has completed the internal County review and has requested updates to ensure all documentation is complete and proper and is now focusing on mutual aid partners.
DISCUSSION:
Fire Summary
The LNU Lightning Complex Fire began on Sunday, August 16, 2020 when a rare lightning storm passed over the North Bay region. In Napa County, the Hennessey Fire started west of Lake Berryessa and pushed by winds moved slowly towards the lake. On Tuesday morning, August 18, the Markley Fire started near the Monticello Dam on Route 128. The Markley Fire also grew slowly as it climbed out of the nearby canyons into areas inaccessible to fire crews. Overnight, August 18-19, winds from collapsing pyro-cumulus clouds brought the Hennessey Fire into Solano County over the Blue Ridge with the first 911 call at 10:53 p.m. At the same time, the Markley Fire began moving rapidly south, eventually combining with the Hennessy Fire around 7:00 a.m. near the intersection of Pleasants Valley Road and Mix Canyon Road before continuing in a southeasterly direction towards Vacaville and Interstate 505. The County’s “Alert Solano” evacuation messaging system was utilized continuously throughout the morning as directed by fire officials. On the day of August 19, the fire moved south along the Blue Ridge eventually reaching Interstate 80 at Cherry Glen Road where the fire crossed Interstate 80. The Fairfield Fire Department began a series of backburns to keep the fire out of neighborhoods near Nelson Hill and were aided by Cal-OES air support. The following day, August 20, fire crews had substantially stopped the forward movement of the fire and began the mop up and spot fire response process that would continue for a number of days.
Recovery Plan Development
An initial recovery plan was developed, and Solano County opened a Local Assistance Center to help residents navigate the recovery process with local, state and federal agencies. The purpose of the Recovery Plan is to guide the County’s strategic efforts to support a unified and comprehensive response of all stakeholder agencies within Solano County. The Recovery Plan is comprised of eight strategic areas of focus to guide the County’s efforts over the next three to five years. Strategic areas include: debris on private property, private property re-building, infrastructure repair and modifications, storm preparation and evacuation, long term flood control mitigation, financial impacts and economic recovery, natural and cultural resources, and community engagement. Also outlined in the Solano County 2020 LNU Lightning Complex Fire Recovery Strategic Plan is an overview of the reimbursement process to recover LNU Complex Fire costs from FEMA and Cal-OES.
A critical component to the success of the Recovery Plan implementation is communications. The goal is to provide timely, accurate and consistent messaging and information to facilitate the recovery of the whole community. Current platforms to notify the public of ongoing recovery efforts and emergency notifications include SolanoCountyRecovers.org website, Alert Solano, electronic newsletters, Sheriff’s Facebook page, social media, radio, newspapers, and community meetings. County OES and Resource Management will continue to update Cal-OES, government stakeholders, and the County Board of Supervisors.
Recovery Efforts
Debris removal and erosion control efforts started in September to prepare the affected areas for winter storms and clear drainages to prevent flash floods and debris flows. The County provided private debris removal plan approvals and permitting in an expedited manner while also working with Cal-OES to provide state funded cleanup services. The County along with the California Conservation Corps have reinforced levees and hillside areas near Lake Solano and the Putah Creek Watershed. These efforts are continuing with a herculean effort already completed in the burn scar area.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to adopt the proposed Solano County LNU Lightning Complex Fire Recovery Strategic Plan; however, this alternative is not recommended as recovery requires planning and coordination amongst local, state and federal agencies and is expected to continue over the next three to five years.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Recovery Plan was developed by County OES, Resource Management, and the Auditor-Controller’s Office. Many agencies and County departments have been involved in the recovery efforts including, but not limited to, the County Administrator’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office, OES, the Department of Resource Management, the Auditor-Controller’s Office, Solano County fire protection districts, the Solano Irrigation District, the Solano County Water Agency, Pacific Gas & Electric, Cal-OES, Cal Fire, California Conservation Corps, the Department of Water Resources, and other agencies from plan.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION