Governor Gavin Newsom has implemented a series of measures in response to the recent fires in Los Angeles. On January 6, he ordered the pre-positioning of firefighting personnel and equipment ahead of anticipated severe fire weather. This included deploying 110 engines and hundreds of firefighters across Southern California, with additional resources positioned on January 12.
In total, over 16,000 personnel have been deployed to combat the fires. These include firefighters, California National Guard members, highway patrol officers, and transportation teams. The state has committed significant resources to this effort, providing more than 2,000 pieces of firefighting equipment.
Newsom activated over 2,500 California National Guard service members to support firefighting operations and local law enforcement efforts against looting. This activation followed an emergency proclamation on January 7.
To aid recovery efforts, President Biden approved a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration at Newsom’s request. This declaration includes federal assistance for repairing or replacing public facilities damaged by the fires.
The Governor secured three Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) within a short period to ensure vital resources for fighting specific fires.
For those affected by the fires, California has postponed tax filing deadlines and suspended penalties on late property tax payments. An executive order was issued to streamline rebuilding efforts by suspending certain permitting requirements.
Efforts are also underway to provide temporary housing for displaced residents. Measures include easing construction regulations for accessory dwelling units and prohibiting evictions related to shared housing arrangements due to displacement from the fires.
Debris removal is being prioritized alongside measures to mitigate risks of mudslides and flooding in burned areas. Additionally, restrictions have been expanded to protect survivors from price gouging on essential goods and services.
Governor Newsom has proposed $2.5 billion in additional funding for emergency response and recovery efforts in Los Angeles. An executive order was signed to assist displaced students returning to school and protect victims from predatory real estate practices.
