Biden Approves Sweeping Disaster Declaration For Socal Fires

LOS ANGELES — President Joe Biden approved a sweeping disaster declaration for the Southern California fires, committing a wide range of federal assistance to the region amid fears that President-elect Donald Trump would balk at helping out the Democratic bastion.

Appearing with California Gov. Gavin Newsom at a fire station just outside the site of the devastating Palisades fire, Biden called the conflagrations “astounding.”

“We’re doing anything and everything and as long as it takes to contain these fires … to make sure you get back to normal,” Biden said. “It’s going to be a hell of a long way. It’s going to take time.”

He added that his son Hunter’s home was initially thought to be destroyed, although now it appears to be still standing.

Newsom, who made the official request for the declaration Wednesday morning, heaped thanks on Biden for the quick turnaround in approving the assistance.

“It’s impossible for me to express the level of appreciation and cooperation we received from the White House and this administration,” Newsom said.

Implicit in Newsom’s comments was the prospect that the next administration may not be so helpful. Trump, in postings on social media on Wednesday, blamed both Newsom and Biden for the conditions that exacerbated the disasters.

A major disaster declaration typically comes days or weeks after a natural disaster has subsided, once local and state governments have completed assessments on the extent of the damage. In this case, that standard process would occur well after Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20 — a prospect that has raised alarm in California, given Trump’s repeated threats to withhold wildfire aid.

On Wednesday, Newsom submitted an expedited request for such a declaration, while the fires continued to rage. Governors sometimes request expedited declarations when it is clear that the scope of the damage will be extensive. The emergency declaration makes California eligible for federal assistance to individuals and public infrastructure.

But concerns over an unfriendly incoming administration are clearly top of mind for Newsom. The governor made a veiled contrast between Biden and Trump on Tuesday, as he credited the current president with swiftly approving federal grants for fire management, which will offset 75 percent of the cost of fighting the blazes.

“At the moment, I don’t take that for granted — candidly, like I have been in the past few years,” Newsom said. “It’s rather precious. And my message to the incoming administration — and I’m not here to play any politics — is please don’t play any politics.”