The President Joe Biden announced Thursday that the federal government would cover 100 percent of the costs for the initial disaster response Los Angeles forest fires
Meeting with federal officials at the White House, Biden said the funds would cover debris removal, temporary shelters, first responder salaries and more for 180 days.
Biden said he stressed to California officials that “they don’t have to spend money to do what they have to do.”
He also had a message for residents affected by the devastating fires: “We are with you. We are not going anywhere. To the firefighters and first responders, you are heroes.”
“The cost of cleaning up debris is huge, huge. The cost of replacing homes is almost exponential,” he continued. “Anybody can give you a number now, they have no idea what they’re talking about. It’s big, big, big.”
He added: “I will now appeal to the United States Congress. When we ask for more help they will have to step up to get the kind of help that people need. They need help.
As Biden spoke, five wildfires were burning in the Los Angeles area. Approximately 28,000 hectares were burned and hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated. At least five people died in the fires, and many more were injured.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who is from California and was forced to evacuate her neighborhood earlier this week, was also at the meeting.
“What we’ve seen in California and particularly in Southern California is apocalyptic in its nature,” Harris said.
President Joe Biden, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris, answers questions from reporters during a briefing on the federal response to the spread of wildfires in the Los Angeles area, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, January 9, 2025.
Ben Curtis/AP
Biden approved a major disaster declaration on Wednesday, allowing fire victims to “access funds and resources to begin immediate recovery,” according to the White House.
Biden also directed the Pentagon to provide the firefighting resources the area needs, including helicopters to help put out the flames. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized 500 firefighting personnel to assist local first responders, Biden said Thursday.
“We expect that there may be a temporary break in the wind, but in some areas, it is likely that the wind will continue well into the next week,” Biden said. “And so we’re going to continue to spend — sending everything, sending literally every resource we find appropriate to support the governor and the first responders.”
Biden canceled a visit to Italy, where he had planned to meet with Pope Francis and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the final foreign trip of his presidency, to focus on the federal response to the tragedy.
The president was in California on Wednesday and received a briefing from officials along with Governor Gavin Newsom. The target of the president-elect’s attacks Donald Trump because he managed the fires.
Trump also said Thursday morning that FEMA has “no money” under the Biden administration, which is false.
Congress passed a bill in December providing an additional $100 billion in disaster relief, including $29 billion for FEMA disasters. The infusion was less than the $40 billion Biden requested for the agency.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was in Los Angeles on Thursday to meet with local officials and assess the damage.
FEMA also released a help guide those affected by the fires to “jump” the recovery process. The agency said people in designated areas can receive cash for essential items, including food, water, medicine and other supplies.
Biden said in his statement that affected Californians should contact disasterassistance.gov or 1-800-621-3362.
“To the families affected by this disaster, I know you are living a nightmare. And I promise you, we will help you get through this and eventually recover and rebuild,” Biden said.
ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart contributed to this report.
