The wildfires that raged across various parts of Los Angeles have caused widespread destruction. With thousands of structures destroyed and lost across the Palisades, Hughes, and Eaton areas, 40,000+ acres burned, and over two dozen dead, firefighters and other first responders have worked tirelessly to contain the destruction since early this month, when severe fire weather began on Tuesday, January 7.
Throughout this time, Governor Newsom has worked to deploy an unprecedented firefighting and first responder force, which included early pre-positioning before the fires began.
Beginning on January 6
Newsom ordered the pre-positioning of firefighting personnel and assets, ahead of the severe fire weather that began on January 7. These assets included 110 engines and hundreds of firefighters that were strategically placed across Southern California, including Los Angeles.
Newsom also deployed 16,000+ personnel, which included firefighters, California National Guard service members, highway patrol officers, as well as transport teams. These efforts were supported by the largest state investment in fire response history, which had nearly doubled since the beginning of Newsom’s administration. More than 2,000 pieces of firefighting equipment were included alongside more than 2,500 California National Guard service members who worked to augment firefighting operations.
Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency on Tuesday, January 7.
Partnering With the Federal Government To Boost Response
At Newsom’s request, President Biden approved a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to support the ongoing response efforts on January 8. The Major Disaster Declaration has expanded to support communities with repairs and replacements of firestorm-damaged infrastructure.
Governor Newsom also requested additional federal assistance from President Biden to cover 100% of California’s fire management and debris removal costs for 180 days.
The governor also secured three Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) within the first 12 hours of the fire to ensure the availability of resources in the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst areas.
Launching Historic Recovery and Rebuilding Efforts
California postponed the individual tax filing deadline to October 15 for Los Angeles County taxpayers in response to the fires. This included a state extension, which extended the January 31, 2025 sales and use tax filing deadline for Los Angeles County taxpayers until April 30.
Governor Newsom issued an executive order to streamline the reconstruction of homes and businesses destroyed by the fires, suspending permitting and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Acts. Governor Newsom furthered an executive order by reiterating that permitting requirements under the California Coastal Act are suspended for rebuilding efforts, and directed the Coastal Commission to not issue guidance or take action that interferes or conflicts with the executive order.
Temporary housing has been fast-tracked under an executive order to make it easier to streamline the construction of accessory dwelling units, which allowed for more temporary trailers and other types of housing while suspending fees for mobile home parks.
The governor directed swift action on the debris removal work and mitigating the potential for mudslides and flooding in the affected areas.
Governor Newsom expanded restrictions to protect survivors from illegal price gouging on rent, hotel and motel costs, and construction building materials.
The governor also signed legislation to provide $2.5 billion to support ongoing emergency response efforts, as well as an executive order to assist displaced students. He also issued an order to protect firestorm victims from predatory land speculators.
Fires Now Mostly Contained
As of January 27, the Palisades fire was 95% contained. The Hughes fire was 98% contained, and the Eaton fire was 99% contained.
Those interested in supporting those affected by wildfires can donate to the California Fire Foundation.
