California Wildfires Rank Among Most Destructive In The State's History, Burning Over 1,100 Homes

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said that the fires in Los Angeles have burned almost 11,000 hectares or around 42 square miles of land.

CALIFORNIA - Los Angeles wildfires "rank among the most destructive in California's history," according to Morningstar-DBRS credit rating service, burning over 1,100 homes, (2,000 buildings in Los Angeles County), and threatening over 28,000 additional structures, according to local fire officials. The fires spread to Hollywood Hills on Wednesday night.

"Preliminary estimates point to total insured losses in excess of $8 billion depending on the final number of properties being affected by the wildfires," the service said in a statement.

In its latest report, The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said that the fires in Los Angeles have burned almost 11,000 hectares or around 42 square miles of land.

U.S. President Joe Biden had canceled a trip to Italy so that he could, "remain focused on directing the full federal response in the days ahead".

“We are prepared to do everything and anything, as long as it takes, to contain these fires and help reconstruct and make sure we get back to normal. It’s going to be a hell of a long way,” he said on Wednesday, adding "It’s going to take time".

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Defense said that they will be providing “additional firefighting personnel and capabilities" to California in response to the fires.

The wildfires, which have already killed at least 5 people, with the total number of deaths as of yet unknown caused an evacuation order in Los Angeles for tens of thousands of people as high winds continued to feed the flames.

L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said on Wednesday, "The L.A. County Fire Department was prepared for one or two major brush fires, but not four, especially given these sustained winds and low humidities".

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves California Major Disaster Declaration

WHITE HOUSE - Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of California and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires and straight-line winds beginning on January 7, 2025, and continuing.

The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Los Angeles County.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding also is available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Los Angeles County.

Finally, Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Mr. Curtis Brown of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

Remarks by President Biden During Briefing on the Palisades Wildfire | Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica Fire Station #5
Santa Monica, California

11:16 A.M. PST

THE PRESIDENT: Well, the governor asked for a declaration that provides for everything the federal government can do, and I’m prepared to sign it today.

The — folks, the fact is that I’ve directed DOD — the Department of Defense — to rapidly provide additional firefighting personnel and capabilities. I’ve also — the California National Guard is adding two Modular Air Fire Fighting Systems units, and two more are being readied by the National Guard — the Na- — the Nevada National Guard. And four more are coming from Northern — from the Northern Command. And 10 Navy helicopters with water delivery buckets are coming down from San Diego.

We’re prepared to do anything and everything as long as it takes to contain these fires and to help reconstruct and make sure we get back to normal. It’s going to be a hell of a long way.

The — it’s going to take time. But we’re in it. The federal government is here to stay as long as you need us and everything you need.

Is there anything you’ve asked that you haven’t gotten yet?

GOVERNOR NEWSOM: Quite the contrary. Mr. President, just, first of all, that major disaster declaration being approved — next level appreciation on behalf of all the residents here in Southern California.

As the chief said, we had pre-positioned assets this weekend in anticipation of these weather events: the complexity of multiple fires; the likelihood these weather events — this wind event would continue over the course of the next many days; impacts of over a thousand structures already that have been destroyed; a hundred-plus thousand people that have been evacuated; lives lost; traditions, lifestyles, places torn asunder. This means the world to us.

And — and just publicly, because I think this is important: The president happened to be in the region, in town. It’s impossible for me to express the level of appreciation and cooperation we received from the White House and this administration.

So, on behalf of all of us, Mr. President, thank you for being here — and not just being here today. Thank you for being here since the minute of this incident when it was a 10-acre fire less than 24-or-so hours ago. My deep gratitude.

THE PRESIDENT: It’s astounding what’s happened.

There’s only one piece of good news. My son lives out here and his wife. Their — they got a notification yesterday that their home is probably burned to the ground. Today, it appears that maybe it’s still standing. We’re not sure.

But the good news is I’m a great-grandfather as of today. My eldest granddaughter. (Applause.) A 10-pound, 4-ounce baby girl — baby boy.

So, I — I’m going to remember this day for a lot of the wrong reasons. But anyway.

11:19 A.M. PST

Mayor Bass and Local Leaders Provide Update on Regional Fires and Wind Event, Full Report: