Biden Approves More Disaster Relief, Disaster Declarations For Fires in Southern California

President Joe Biden quickly approved a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires currently raging across nearly 30,000 acres in Southern California on Wednesday, shortly after Governor Gavin Newsom requested it.

In only the past few days, multiple wildfires have exploded in growth across Southern California, fueled by high winds and dry conditions. The largest of the fires, the Palisades Fire, is currently at over 15,000 acres and affecting the Pacific Palisades area in western Los Angeles, as well as the the city of Malibu, and many areas in the Santa Monica mountains. As of Wednesday afternoon, around 37,000 people have evacuated, with about 1,000 structures destroyed and five reported deaths. Some historic buildings, such as the Getty Villa, are also currently threatened.

The other large fire, the Eaton Fire, isn’t in Los Angeles proper, but is also currently using resources from both Los Angeles and Los Angeles County. The Eaton Fire is currently at just over 10,000 acres and affecting Pasadena, Altadena, Glendale, and other areas alongside the San Gabriel Mountains. While only about 100 structures have been destroyed so far, it has caused 50,000 people to be evacuated and has already caused 5 deaths. Historic buildings, such as the famed Rose Bowl, are also now situated within the warning zone.

A third fire, the Hurst fire in the Sylmar area, is currently at 700 acres.

Response to the fires have been swift, with fire crews quickly going out to the front lines of the fires. Gov. Newsom also called for a state of emergency over the fires, as has Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. However, the response from Bass has been distressingly slower as she delayed coming back from a trip to Ghana in Western Africa, a response that has caused mass criticism of the Mayor.

The response by both Newsom and President Joe Biden has been much faster than previous fires. Both Newsom and Biden were in Southern California for a day before the fires started, planning to attend a ceremony in the Inland Empire inaugurating two new national monuments. In addition, Biden was in L.A. for the birth of his great-grandchild.

With Newsom, Biden, and other officials in L.A., they continued to approve more federal help for California on Wednesday, including securing FEMA support and funding for all three fires, and approving a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration.

Speaking from a Santa Monica Fire Station on Wednesday, Biden said, “The governor asked for a declaration that provides for everything the federal government can do, and I’m prepared to sign it today, immediately. We’re prepared to do anything and everything as long as it takes to contain these fires and help reconstruct, make sure we get to normal. It’s going to be a hell of a long way, it’s going to take time, but the federal government is here to stay as long as you need it and everything you need.”

Federal help for Southern California

“The situation in Los Angeles is highly dangerous and rapidly evolving.” Governor Newsom added. “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.”

More assistance is also likely to be approved soon, as the blazes are expected to grow and more emergency assistance is needed.

“The federal response so far has amounted to them saying ‘Whatever you need.’,” explained Greg Ericson, a fire control consultant and former wildfire firefighter, to the Globe on Wednesday. “And it has been quick too. Some of these emergency things they got. Sometimes it can take days for things like that to be approved. But it has been approved almost instantly after being requested. For many, Biden and Newsom haven’t had the best track record, but they aren’t screwing around when it comes to these fires. They’re actually there nearby the fires doing what they can. Even if you aren’t fans of theirs, like I’m not, you have to give them credit in working fast within an evacuation warning zone.

“And as we discussed earlier, this is directly opposite of what Mayor Bass is doing. Biden and Newsom are doing what they can. Bass? She didn’t even leave for LA until a day after.

“But also let’s not forget all those emergency workers there right now. Firefighters out there saving people and keeping the fire from spreading the best they can. Police setting up lines to keep people safe. Emergency workers setting up shelters and prepping hospitals. These are the people we should be praising.”

The L.A. area is expected to get more federal assistance in the coming days.