AGENDA


Board of Supervisors Room - County Administrative Center


224 North Edwards, Independence, California


NOTICES TO THE PUBLIC: (1) This meeting is accessible to the public both in person and, for convenience, via Zoom webinar. The Zoom webinar is accessible to the public at https://zoom.us/j/868254781. The meeting may also be accessed by telephone at the following numbers: (669) 900-6833; (346) 248-7799; (253) 215-8782; (929) 205-6099; (301) 715-8592; (312) 626-6799. Webinar ID: 868 254 781. Anyone unable to attend the Board meeting in person who wishes to make either a general public comment or a comment on a specific agenda item may do so by utilizing the Zoom "hand-raising" feature when appropriate during the meeting (the Chair will call on those who wish to speak). Generally, speakers are limited to three minutes. Remote participation for members of the public is provided for convenience only. In the event that the remote participation connection malfunctions for any reason, the Board of Supervisors reserves the right to conduct the meeting without remote access. Regardless of remote access, written public comments, limited to 250 words or fewer, may be emailed to the Assistant Clerk of the Board at boardclerk@inyocounty.us. (2) In Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting please contact the Clerk of the Board at (760) 878-0373 (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title II). Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the County to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. Should you because of a disability require appropriate alternative formatting of this agenda, please notify the Clerk of the Board 72 hours prior to the meeting to enable the County to make the agenda available in a reasonable alternative format. (Government Code Section 54954.2). (3) If a writing, that is a public record relating to an agenda item for an open session of a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors, is distributed less than 72 hours prior to the meeting, the writing shall be available for public inspection at the Office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 224 N. Edwards, Independence, California and is available per Government Code § 54957.5(b)(1).

SPECIAL MEETING


July 28, 2026


1:00 P.M.


1) Approval of Emergency Declaration Related to the Rock Fire and Cinder Complex Fires


County Administrator - Emergency Services | David Fraser


10 minutes


Recommended Action:


Approve Resolution No. 2026-28, titled, "A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Proclaiming the Existence of a Local Emergency Resulting from the Rock Fire and Cinder Complex Fires," and authorize the Chairperson to sign.

AGENDA ITEM REQUEST FORM


July 28, 2026


Reference ID: 2026-588

Approval of Emergency Declaration Related to the Rock Fire and Cinder Complex Fires


County Administrator - Emergency Services


ACTION REQUIRED


ITEM SUBMITTED BY


Meaghan McCamman, Deputy County Administrator


ITEM PRESENTED BY


David Fraser, County Administrator


RECOMMENDED ACTION:


Approve Resolution No. 2026-28, titled, "A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo, State of California, Proclaiming the Existence of a Local Emergency Resulting from the Rock Fire and Cinder Complex Fires," and authorize the Chairperson to sign.


BACKGROUND / SUMMARY / JUSTIFICATION:


On July 20, 2026, the Rock Fire ignited, threatening life, property, natural resources, and critical infrastructure throughout Inyo County. On July 24, 2026, subsequent lightning activity ignited additional fires, which grew into the Cinder Complex, significantly intensifying wildfire impacts across the region.


These fires have resulted in widespread disruption, including multiple road closures—at times fully closing Highway 395—restricting the movement of residents, visitors, and emergency personnel. Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued as necessary to protect public safety.


The County, in coordination with partner agencies, opened emergency shelters and arranged hotel accommodations for evacuees from July 20 through July 27. Fire activity, dense smoke, and dangerous access conditions continue to threaten public and private infrastructure, while also limiting the ability of County crews to assess roadway damage and transportation impacts.


The conditions created by both the Rock Fire and Cinder Complex constitute an emergency that has exceeded the capacity of County services, personnel, equipment, and facilities. Proclaiming a local emergency enables Inyo County to mobilize resources, activate emergency plans, expedite procurement, seek mutual aid, and request emergency assistance from the State of California.


FISCAL IMPACT:


This proclamation will potentially allow the County to request financial assistance from the state if necessary and if the fire damages are eligible for state assistance. Financial impacts are unknown at this time.


ALTERNATIVES AND/OR CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION:


P. O. Drawer N | 224 N. Edwards Street | Independence, CA 93526


(760) 878-0292


The Board may choose not to adopt the proclamation; however, doing so would potentially prevent the County from being able to access state-level emergency assistance should that prove necessary for recovery.


OTHER DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:


CalOES, CalFire, local volunteer fire departments, and other fire resources from around the state.


STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:


High-Quality Services | Public Safety and Emergency Response


APPROVALS:

Name


Role / Status

Darcy Israel


Created/Initiated - 07/27/2026

Darcy Israel


Approved - 07/27/2026

John Vallejo


Approved - 07/27/2026

David Fraser


Final Approval - 07/27/2026

ATTACHMENTS:

-


Rock Fire Disaster Declaration

P. O. Drawer N | 224 N. Edwards Street | Independence, CA 93526


(760) 878-0292


RESOLUTION NO. 2026-28


A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF INYO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, PROCLAIMING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY RESULTING FROM THE ROCK FIRE AND CINDER COMPLEX FIRES


WHEREAS, on Monday, July 20, 2026, the Rock Fire began, threatening life, property, infrastructure, and natural resources within the County of Inyo; and


WHEREAS, on Friday afternoon, July 24, 2026, a lightning event ignited additional fires which merged into the Cinder Complex, further compounding impacts on the region and straining local response resources; and


WHEREAS, the Rock Fire and Cinder Complex have generated significant wildfire activity, resulting in numerous road closures throughout the county. Highway 395 has been fully closed at times due to fire conditions, restricting movement for residents, visitors, and emergency personnel. These impacts to roads and critical infrastructure necessitated the issuance of evacuation orders and warnings to protect public safety; and


WHEREAS, the County of Inyo opened emergency evacuation facilities and arranged hotel accommodations for evacuees from Monday, July 20 through Monday, July 27, 2026; and


WHEREAS, ongoing fire behavior, smoke conditions, and operational requirements continue to pose imminent threats to vital infrastructure, public and private property, and the safety and well-being of residents throughout Inyo County; and


WHEREAS, assessment of damage to County roads and access routes remains significantly hindered due to hazardous wildfire conditions. Active fire zones, smoke, and blocked roadways limit safe entry for evaluation crews, delaying the ability to determine impacts to transportation infrastructure; and


WHEREAS, conditions resulting from these fires constitute extreme peril to persons and property within the County of Inyo, and exceed the capacity of County services, personnel, equipment, and facilities; and


WHEREAS, proclamation of a local emergency within 10 days of the start of the emergency enables the County to mobilize and allocate resources, activate emergency plans, expedite procurement, seek mutual aid, and request assistance from the State of California;


NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ORDERED as follows:


Section 1: The Inyo County Board of Supervisors hereby proclaims the existence of a Local Emergency in Inyo County due to the conditions described above.


Section 2: The Inyo County Board of Supervisors directs that this emergency proclamation be forwarded to the Director of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services and to the Governor of the State of California.


Section 3: The Inyo County Board of Supervisors shall review the need for continuing the Local Emergency at least every 60 days and, if appropriate, take action to terminate the Local Emergency at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant, pursuant to California Government Code Section 8630(c).


APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this XX day of July, 2026, by the Inyo County Board of Supervisors, County of Inyo:


AYES:


NOES:


ABSTAIN:


ABSENT:


___________________________________


Chair, Board of Supervisors


County of Inyo


Attest: David Fraser


Clerk of the Board


By: ___________________________________


Darcy Israel, Assistant Clerk https://sierrawave.net/inyo-county-board-of-supervisors-special-meeting-july-28th-approval-of-emergency-declaration-related-to-the-rock-fire-and-cinder-complex-fires-county-administrator-emergency-services/