Governor Gavin Newsom signed a major disaster relief package Thursday allocating $2.5 billion to help Los Angeles communities recover from recent devastating wildfires that claimed multiple lives and forced thousands to evacuate.
The bipartisan-supported legislation provides funding for critical disaster response efforts, including evacuation support, temporary housing for survivors, and hazardous waste removal from affected areas. The package also includes $4 million to expedite home rebuilding permits and $1 million to assist school districts in reconstructing damaged facilities.
"This is about distilling a sense of hopefulness," Newsom stated during a news conference in Pasadena, one of the impacted communities.
The aid package comes as the region grapples with multiple active fires. The Pacific Palisades blaze, which began January 7, resulted in 11 fatalities, while the Eaton Fire claimed 17 lives. The recently ignited Hughes Fire has already spread across 15 square miles, prompting evacuation orders affecting over 50,000 residents.
The state anticipates federal reimbursement for the disaster relief funding. Additionally, Newsom announced that 270 state-chartered financial institutions have committed to providing mortgage relief for impacted homeowners in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
State Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire acknowledged the fires' devastating impact while affirming the state's commitment to recovery: "We promise we have your back, and we're going to get through this."
The relief package passed as President Donald Trump prepares to visit California to assess the wildfire damage. Former President Joe Biden had previously approved federal disaster aid for the region earlier this month.
Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, who personally experienced a six-day evacuation during the Palisades Fire, emphasized that this funding represents "the first of many steps" in supporting wildfire survivors and protecting communities from future blazes.