President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that the federal government will cover 100% of the costs for the initial disaster response to the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Speaking at the White House alongside federal officials, Biden detailed the allocation of funds for debris removal, temporary shelters, first responder salaries, and other critical needs for up to 180 days.
“I told California officials to spare no expense in doing what they need to do,” Biden stated. Addressing those impacted by the wildfires, he added, “We are with you. We are not going anywhere. To the firefighters and first responders, you are heroes.”
Biden described the scale of the devastation as unprecedented, highlighting the immense costs of debris cleanup and housing replacement. “The numbers are staggering. Anyone giving estimates now doesn’t know the full extent. It’s big, big, big,” he said.
The president also called on Congress for additional support, urging lawmakers to approve further funding to aid affected communities.
Fires Continue to Ravage California
As Biden spoke, five wildfires were raging across the Los Angeles area, scorching approximately 28,000 acres and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents. The fires have claimed at least five lives and left many others injured.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who hails from California and whose neighborhood was evacuated earlier in the week, described the scene as “apocalyptic.”
Biden approved a major disaster declaration on Wednesday, enabling victims to access immediate funds and resources to aid in recovery. He also directed the Pentagon to provide firefighting resources, including helicopters and 500 personnel for ground-clearing efforts.
“We’re sending every appropriate resource to assist the governor and first responders,” Biden said, noting that strong winds are likely to persist for another week.
FEMA Mobilizes Aid
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell visited Los Angeles on Thursday to meet with local officials and assess the damage. FEMA has released a guide to assist fire victims with essential needs such as food, water, and medication. Affected individuals are encouraged to visit disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 for help.
“Californians affected by this disaster are living through a nightmare,” Biden said. “I promise we will help you recover, rebuild, and move forward.”
International Commitments Paused
To prioritize the wildfire response, Biden canceled his planned trip to Italy, where he was scheduled to meet with Pope Francis and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The president had been in California on Wednesday, receiving a briefing on the fires from state officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom.
Despite criticism from former President Donald Trump, who falsely claimed FEMA lacks funds under the Biden administration, Congress recently allocated $29 billion for FEMA’s disaster relief fund as part of a $100 billion disaster aid package passed in December.
A Message of Resilience
Biden concluded his remarks with a message of solidarity: “To the families affected by this disaster, we are here for you, and we will stay with you every step of the way.”
