Padilla, Schiff, Bipartisan California Congressional Delegation Applaud President Biden’s Major Disaster Declaration for Los Angeles County Fires
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) led 47 bipartisan members of the California Congressional delegation in urging President Biden to grant Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration in response to the devastating ongoing impacts of the Palisades, Eaton, Franklin, and Hurst fires and the ongoing windstorm event in Los Angeles County. President Biden swiftly approved Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for the major disaster declaration, reflecting the need to ensure timely relief for Los Angeles County residents impacted by these disasters.
The fires raging across Southern California since Tuesday have killed at least two individuals and burned down more than 1,000 structures, forcing more than 110,000 Los Angeles County residents to evacuate. The fires have burned thousands of acres and remain at zero percent containment, with wind gusts up to 100 miles per hour rapidly accelerating the fires’ growth and preventing firefighters from containing the blaze.
The extensive ongoing damage caused by the Palisades, Eaton, Franklin, and Hurst fires has overwhelmed the Los Angeles County Fire Department and other local first responders, who are using extensive state and local resources to fight the wildfires. President Biden had provided federal assistance, including a Fire Management Assistance Grant, but a major disaster declaration was urgently needed to improve coordination and provide California with essential assistance and recovery resources.
“These wildfires have caused widespread damage across Los Angeles County that have threatened the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Californians,” wrote the lawmakers. “The wildfires have damaged — and continue to threaten — federal and state highways and roads, critical infrastructure, homes, and buildings.”
“The severity of these wildfires requires additional coordination and a wider range of long-term federal recovery programs,” continued the lawmakers. “Therefore, we urge you to expeditiously approve California’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration and to provide all categories of public assistance, individual assistance, and direct federal assistance set forth in the Governor’s request,”
In addition to Senators Padilla and Schiff, the letter was signed by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.-11) and Representatives Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.-33), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.-44), Ami Bera (D-Calif.-06), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.-41), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.-31), Lou Correa (D-Calif.-46), Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.-10), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30), John Garamendi (D-Calif.-08), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.-42), Adam Gray (D-Calif.-13), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Josh Harder (D-Calif.-09), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.-03), Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.-01), Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49), Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.-16), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-36), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-18), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.-07), Tom McClintock (R-Calif.-05), Dave Min (D-Calif.-47), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.-15), Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.-23), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.-19), Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Luz Rivas (D-Calif.-29), Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.-25), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.-38), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.-14), Mark Takano (D-Calif.-39), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.-04), Norma Torres (D-Calif.-35), Derek Tran (D-Calif.-45), David Valadao (R-Calif.-22), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.-43), and George Whitesides (D-Calif.-27).
Full text of the letter is available here and below:
Dear President Biden:
We write in support of the State of California’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration in response to the Palisades, Eaton, Franklin, and Hurst Fires and the ongoing windstorm event, including subsequent wildfires that may erupt under the current hazardous conditions.
The State has experienced several wildfires since January 7, 2025, when the windstorm event began. The intensity and damages of the wildfires and windstorm continue to overwhelm state resources and require federal assistance, coordination, and action to supplement state and local efforts.
These wildfires have caused widespread damage across Los Angeles County that have threatened the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Californians. The wildfires have damaged – and continue to threaten – federal and state highways and roads, critical infrastructure, homes, and buildings. To date, two people have lost their lives, over 1,000 structures, including many residences, have been destroyed, and 110,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders.
The severity of these wildfires requires additional coordination and a wider range of long-term federal recovery programs. Therefore, we urge you to expeditiously approve California’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration and to provide all categories of public assistance, individual assistance, and direct federal assistance set forth in the Governor’s request. Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
###