Governor Newsom quickly secures Major Disaster Declaration from President Biden for Los Angeles fires

SANTA MONICA – President Biden has quickly approved Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to support ongoing response efforts related to the major wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area.

Governor Newsom and President Biden were briefed by local and state emergency officials on the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires this morning at a fire station in Santa Monica.

The Presidential declaration makes available federal assistance funding to help state, tribal and local governments cover emergency response costs. It also includes Individual Assistance programs for affected citizens and businesses, which includes temporary accommodation and financial assistance for destroyed property.

The President has also provided significant support through the U.S. Forest Service, including five large air tankers,10 helicopters and dozens of engines.

“The situation in Los Angeles is highly dangerous and rapidly evolving. President Biden’s swift action is a huge lift for California — as we throw everything we can into protecting residents with substantial state, local and federal resources. To all those in Southern California, please continue to listen to local authorities and don’t wait, evacuate if asked.”

The state started tracking this weather event closely over the weekend and began prepositioning resources on Sunday. The Governor has been in constant contact with local, state and federal officials, including President Biden, to ensure an aggressive ongoing response to the fires, as well as keeping resources at the ready for any additional fires that may arise.

Governor Newsom has secured three Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires. These grants help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fires.

Yesterday, Governor Newsom visited Pacific Palisades and met with local and state fire officials to assess the situation first-hand, including any unmet needs related to their response to the Palisades Fire. While on the ground in Pacific Palisades, the Governor proclaimed a state of emergency to further support the communities impacted by this fire.

For more emergency preparedness tips and to learn more about active emergencies, visit ready.ca.gov.