Biden has announced ´one-time payment of $770' to victims of the California wildfires
President Joe Biden announced Monday that federal aid is being directed to Los Angeles as California grapples with its worst wildfires in state history. Containment efforts vary, with progress reported at 14% in Pacific Palisades and full containment achieved in Ventura.
Biden and senior officials convened Monday night to discuss the federal response to the wildfires as his White House tenure nears its end.
The president pledged that the federal government will cover 100% of disaster response costs for the next six months related to the fires, which have claimed at least 24 lives.
“We’re not waiting until the fires are over to help victims. We’re helping them right now,” Biden said. “People affected by these fires will receive a one-time payment of $770 to quickly purchase essentials like water, baby formula, and prescriptions.”
Biden encouraged those impacted to visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 for assistance.
Federal Aid and Local Challenges
The federal government will fund all firefighting costs for the next 180 days. To date, nearly $5.1 million in immediate aid has been distributed, and about 33,000 people have registered for assistance through FEMA.
“It’s going to cost tens of billions of dollars to restore Los Angeles to what it was,” Biden said during a briefing with Vice President Kamala Harris and emergency officials. “We’ll need Congress to step up with the funding.”
Officials are also assessing what additional actions the federal government can take to address the ongoing fires before Biden’s departure from office next week.
Coordinated Efforts
The meeting included Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell, who emphasized in media interviews that California officials were not unprepared for the fires. Instead, she pointed to 100 mph winds and dry conditions as the primary factors driving the extensive damage.
Biden’s briefing aimed to determine how federal, state, and local agencies can better coordinate relief efforts and support those affected by the devastation.