California Seeks $40 Bln in Federal Aid for Wildfire Recovery

Governor Gavin Newsom has requested nearly $40 billion from Congress to aid California’s wildfire recovery efforts, particularly in Los Angeles, where devastating blazes last month left thousands homeless and communities in ruins.

According to a report by The Washington Post, Newsom's appeal seeks disaster relief funding to rebuild fire-ravaged neighborhoods, restore public infrastructure, and support long-term recovery efforts.

The Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas of Los Angeles experienced some of the worst wildfires in January, resulting in at least 29 fatalities and the destruction of over 16,000 structures.

In his letter to congressional leaders, Newsom emphasized that while more funding may be required in the future, the requested amount would immediately assist affected communities in rebuilding their homes and livelihoods.

His funding request includes $16.8 billion for fire response efforts, debris removal, and infrastructure repairs, covering damaged roads, bridges, public buildings, and utilities. Additionally, $9.9 billion has been requested to help rebuild homes and restore local infrastructure.

During a recent meeting with President Donald Trump, Newsom urged stronger federal support to accelerate disaster relief efforts in California.

Weather analytics platform AccuWeather estimates that the total economic losses from the wildfires will exceed $250 billion, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in US history.