U.S. Rep. Steve Knight, R-Palmdale, wrote a letter to Governor Brown on Tuesday urging him to declare a state of emergency in order to combat the Sand Fire.

The request comes as the Sand Fire continues to threaten thousands of homes and families in the Cresenta Valley, the San Fernando Valley, the Antelope Valley, and the Santa Clarita Valley. The letter complements similar efforts by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, who introduced a motion at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisor meeting to request emergency assistance from the state of California to combat the fire.

“The Sand Fire threatens to compound the economic effects of the drought while inflicting tremendous stress on public resources and individual families who are displaced from their communities,” Knight said in his letter. “I urgently and respectfully request that you declare a state of emergency to allow the state and federal governments to start taking the necessary steps to mitigate the economic damage and start the recovery process.”

[Read the letter here]

Photo: Ken Lubas

Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, along with Assemblyman Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale, submitted a letter Tuesday to Gov. Jerry Brown urging a State Declaration of Disaster in response to the recent Sand Fire in the Santa Clarita Valley.

“The Sand Fire has proven to be a force of destruction,” Wilk said. “I urge the governor to declare a state of disaster during this time of crisis. It is vital we do everything possible to safeguard the community’s well-being and prevent worsening conditions. I commend our brave men and women fighting the flames on the frontlines, as well as those providing aid and assistance.”

On July 22, 2016, the Sand Fire began around 2:10 p.m. along the northbound Highway 14 at Soledad Canyon Road in Santa Clarita. The fire is now approximately 37,473 acres in size, 25% contained and has destroyed 18 structures. This forced the evacuation of roughly 10,000 homes, closed multiple public roads and caused multiple health concerns in the community.

“Thanks to the hard work of our first responders, the situation could have been much worse. However, with the scale and scope of a fire this large, we clearly need state assistance to help the community recover,” Lackey stated.

The 38th Assembly District encompasses Simi Valley, the northwestern section of the San Fernando Valley and most of the Santa Clarita Valley.