Biden offers support in LA County amid 'astounding' fires

President Biden on Wednesday viewed the damage from wildfires in Southern California and pledged his administration’s support for state and local officials and first responders battling the blazes.

Biden met with firefighters and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) during a briefing at a Santa Monica, Calif., fire station, where he described the fires as “astounding” and pledged the full support of the federal government.

“We’re prepared to do anything and everything as long as it takes,” Biden said at the briefing. “It’s astounding what’s happening.”

Firefighters are battling three separate blazes in Los Angeles County, officials said. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Tony Marrone told Biden the department was receiving assistance from firefighters in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

“The good news is, I’m a great-grandfather,” Biden quipped at the end of his briefing with first responders, a reference to his granddaughter giving birth at a nearby hospital on Wednesday.

The White House said it was surging resources to the impacted areas of California, including five U.S. Forest Service air tankers, 10 federal firefighting helicopters and dozens of fire engines from the Forest Service.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also approved a fire management assistance grant to reimburse the state for firefighting costs.

Fires have raged this week in Los Angeles County, with high winds further complicating efforts to quell the blazes. At least two people have been killed, and thousands have been forced to evacuate.

Newsom offered praise for Biden’s response to the fires, saying during Wednesday’s briefing that it was “impossible for me to express the level of appreciation and cooperation we’ve seen from the White House and this administration. So on behalf of all of us, Mr. President, thank you for being here.”

Newsom’s comments came shortly after President-elect Trump directly blamed the California governor for the state of the fires, asserting some of his environmental policies were preventing adequate water supply from reaching the affected areas.

Topics

Biden postpones Italy trip amid raging Los Angeles fires

President Biden will no longer travel to Italy this weekend as fires rage in Los Angeles County, the White House said Wednesday. "After returning this evening from Los Angeles, where earlier today ...
The Hill - 6h
Doctor on the air quality risks amid wildfires in Los Angeles County

Millions of Los Angeles County residents are facing extremely hazardous air quality as wildfires continue to burn. The air quality index in Los Angeles on Wednesday was 178, which is considered to ...
CBS News - 8h
What's happening on the ground in California as crews battle fires in Los Angeles County

Intense wildfires are devastating Los Angeles County, killing at least five people and destroying over 1,000 structures. CBS News' Kris Van Cleave reports. Then, Gregg Champion tells "The Daily ...
CBS News - 9h
Biden: Impact from California wildfires is 'astounding'

President Biden spoke after receiving a briefing from officials in California about the spreading wildfires. Biden pledged federal support for those impacted, mentioned that his sons' home may have ...
NBC News - 14h
WATCH: ABC TV reporter battles ‘vicious’ winds amid LA fires

Leanne Suter, of ABC News' Los Angeles station KABC, reports from the Eaton Fire in Southern California.
ABC News - 17h
New weather update as fires consume parts of Los Angeles County

Hurricane-force winds are still fanning embers that are spreading wildfires in parts of Los Angeles County. CBS News Bay Area meteorologist Jessica Burch has the latest weather forecast.
CBS News - 15h
DeSantis, longtime Newsom rival, offers help to California amid wildfires

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) offered assistance to California on Wednesday as the state grapples with severe wildfires in the greater Los Angeles area. “Our prayers are with everyone affected by ...
The Hill - 15h
Inside the neighbourhood totally lost in LA fires

Homes are gone in the wealthy Pacific Palisades area as wildfires rage on.
BBC News - 1d
Menendez brothers family members meet with new LA County DA

More than 20 members of Erik and Lyle Menendez's extended family met with the Los Angeles District Attorney on Friday and made their case for a reduced sentence for the brothers who are currently ...
NBC News - 4d