SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California is allocating $2.5 billion to support recovery efforts in the Los Angeles area following the deadly wildfires that have devastated the region. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the emergency relief package into law on Thursday, after it passed through the state Legislature with bipartisan approval.
The relief package includes $2.5 billion to fund immediate disaster response measures, including evacuation efforts, sheltering displaced residents, and removing hazardous waste from affected homes. Additionally, lawmakers approved $4 million to expedite rebuilding processes for homes, and $1 million for school districts to help them restore facilities.
At a press conference in Pasadena, one of the cities impacted by the fires, Newsom emphasized that the goal was to instill a sense of hope and recovery. “This is about distilling a sense of hopefulness,” he said.
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The aid was approved just ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned visit to California to assess the damage. Although Trump has indicated that federal relief may come with conditions, state Republicans have resisted such proposals. Earlier in the month, former President Joe Biden authorized some federal disaster aid for the area.
The relief effort follows a special legislative session called by Newsom in November to prepare for potential legal challenges against the Trump administration. However, with the recent fires intensifying, Newsom shifted his focus to wildfire relief funding, expanding the special session to address the immediate needs of the disaster-stricken areas.
Despite criticism from Republican state Sen. Kelly Seyarto, who initially objected to Newsom’s handling of the fire relief funding, he ultimately supported the bills. Seyarto emphasized the importance of working together on future legislation related to wildfire prevention and response, noting, “We need a plan from all of us to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
The state Senate also approved additional funding on Thursday, including $25 million to prepare for potential legal challenges from the federal government, and $25 million to assist legal groups defending immigrants facing deportation. These measures are still pending approval by the state Assembly before they can be signed into law by Newsom.
The fires, which have ravaged Southern California since early January, have claimed the lives of at least 28 people. The most destructive fire, which began on January 7, tore through the Pacific Palisades area, resulting in 11 fatalities. The Eaton Fire, ignited the same day near Altadena, has caused 17 deaths. The region is currently dealing with the ongoing Hughes Fire, which has spread rapidly, forcing over 50,000 people to evacuate.
Senator Mike McGuire, a Democrat from Northern California, called the fires “nothing short of devastating” but reassured residents, stating, “We promise we have your back, and we’re going to get through this.”
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Newsom’s administration expects that the state will be reimbursed by the federal government for the disaster relief expenses. Additionally, the governor announced that 270 state-chartered financial institutions have pledged to offer mortgage relief to homeowners in the affected areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Assembly member Jesse Gabriel, who represents Encino and chairs the special session budget committee, shared that his own family had been evacuated during the Pacific Palisades Fire. Gabriel described the legislation passed as “the first of many steps” to help survivors and prevent future fires. “No community is immune from these wildfires,” he said, underscoring the widespread impact of the tragedy.
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