Under President Biden's leadership, the Biden-Harris Administration is taking significant actions to support state and local response efforts for the wildfires in Los Angeles, California. As the fires continue to devastate communities, President Biden is focused on mobilizing life-saving and life-sustaining resources across the region.
The President is closely monitoring ongoing response efforts and is receiving regular briefings, including today from his team and from CalFire and local officials at a Santa Monica fire station. At the President's direction, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell is also traveling to California on Friday to assess on-the-ground community needs like additional sheltering options and damage assessments.
Today, President Biden has approved a Major Disaster declaration for California, allowing survivors to immediately access funds and resources to jumpstart their recovery. Additionally, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to reimburse California for firefighting costs last night.
The Biden-Harris Administration has been in constant communication with California Governor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, their teams, officials from affected counties, and other local officials from the day the fires started. Additionally, the National Interagency Fire Center is in continuous contact with CalFire and is ready to deploy any additional resources that are needed - including additional firefighting personnel and equipment.
President Biden and Vice President Harris are praying for those who lost loved ones, had property damaged, were injured, and for everyone affected by this and other devastating fires in the area. The situation remains extremely dangerous, and the Administration continues to urge residents to heed the warnings of local officials and evacuate immediately if told to do so.
Consistent with the President's direction for a robust and well-coordinated federal response, the Administration has taken swift action to support preparedness and response efforts. Specific actions taken to date include:
Mobilizing Fire Suppression Assets
The Federal government has taken action to support local firefighting efforts through the provision of five U.S. Forest Service Large Air Tankers operating in Southern California and 10 Federal firefighting helicopters performing firefighting operations in the area in support of state and local firefighters. In addition, the U.S. Forest Service has prepositioned dozens of fire engines that are ready to be deployed as needed.
President Biden has directed the Department of Defense to rapidly provide additional firefighting personnel and capabilities. The Federal government is working closely with the National Guard, which is deployed under the Governor's state of emergency declaration. The California National Guard is adding two Modular Air Firefighting System units, and two more are being readied by the Nevada National Guard. The Department of Defense Northern Command is preparing four more. Additionally, the Department is sending ten Navy helicopters with water delivery buckets are being sent to the region immediately to assist with aerial suppression.
Providing Essential Data, Resources, and Support
- The National Weather Service (NWS) has provided constant weather forecasting support and updated watches and warnings based on changing conditions. NWS began messaging the potential for a significant wind event a week in advance of the current wind storm. Regular email briefings and webinars were conducted by the NWS Los Angeles and San Diego Forecast Offices. NWS has collocated support to the Los Angeles County emergency operations center, and a local NWS Incident Meteorologist is being deployed to the Palisades Fire to work directly with the Incident Management Team to assist firefighters with planning to conduct their fire suppression efforts under extremely hard conditions. Both the NWS Los Angeles and San Diego Forecast Offices continue to support their communities with updated briefings and media interviews.
- The Environmental Protection Agency stands ready to provide resources for air quality assessments and other support as needed.
