California Governor Gavin Newsom has formally requested nearly $40 billion in federal disaster relief from Congress to support Los Angeles County’s recovery from the devastating Eaton and Palisades wildfires that ravaged the region in January. The request, detailed in a letter obtained by the Washington Post, highlights the extensive damage and the financial strain imposed on affected communities.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Newsom urged Congress to take swift action, stating, “I’m asking Congress to have the back of the American people and provide disaster funding to help Californians recover and rebuild as soon as possible.”
The fires, which ignited on January 7 during a violent Santa Ana windstorm with gusts reaching 100 mph, spread rapidly as hazardous conditions grounded firefighting aircraft. The powerful winds carried embers into residential areas, destroying thousands of homes and leaving entire communities in ruins. The disaster destroyed over 16,000 structures, with 9,418 lost in the Eaton Fire and 6,837 in the Palisades Fire. Tragically, 29 people lost their lives, and more than 37,000 acres of land were burned.
Newsom’s request outlines a comprehensive recovery plan, directing funds toward business relief, private property reconstruction, workforce restoration, tax incentives, and wildfire mitigation measures. Approximately 42% of the requested aid would be allocated to public assistance programs, including debris removal and infrastructure repairs.
“The impacted communities have experienced widespread devastation, and the total economic impact on California will take years to fully quantify,” Newsom wrote in his letter. A UCLA study estimated the financial toll of the wildfires to be as high as $164 billion. Meanwhile, insurance claims continue to mount, with State Farm alone reporting over 8,700 claims totaling $1 billion by February 1. The insurance giant has since requested the California Department of Insurance approve an emergency rate increase of up to 22% for homeowners.
Newsom’s appeal has received strong backing from California lawmakers. Representative Brad Sherman, whose district includes the Pacific Palisades, voiced his support for the requested aid. “I support the Governor’s $40 billion request, proportionate with the scale of this disaster. My constituents urgently need this funding to rebuild their homes and their lives,” Sherman said.
Representative Judy Chu, who represents Altadena and Pasadena, echoed these sentiments. “This package will provide critical federal aid for rebuilding homes, businesses, and community institutions, ensuring Angelenos have the resources to recover from the grief and trauma of losing loved ones and property,” she stated.
However, federal funding for California’s wildfire recovery faces potential obstacles. Ahead of his visit to the disaster zone, former President Donald Trump suggested in a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity that he might withhold aid unless California makes changes to its water distribution policies. “I don’t think the federal government should give California anything until they start sending more water down south,” Trump said. Despite this initial stance, he acknowledged the widespread destruction after touring the affected areas by helicopter. “I saw a lot of bad things on television, but the extent of it, the size of it… it’s devastation,” Trump remarked during his visit.
Senator Adam Schiff criticized the idea of withholding aid, calling for immediate federal action. “To deny or place conditions on disaster relief would be abandoning people in their time of most need,” Schiff posted on X. “People need help. We must act urgently.”
Los Angeles officials have implemented a two-phase recovery plan led by Chief Recovery Officer Steve Soboroff. Phase 1, managed by the Environmental Protection Agency, allocated $100 million for hazardous material cleanup with more than 500 personnel working on-site. By February, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had initiated Phase 2, focusing on large-scale debris removal, with completion expected by January 2026.
The rebuilding process is expected to take years, but Newsom’s request represents a significant step in securing federal resources to aid in California’s long-term recovery efforts. As communities struggle to rebuild, all eyes are now on Congress to determine whether the funding will be approved and distributed to the fire-ravaged regions in need.
