President Joe Biden admitted that assisting the fire-devastated sections of Southern California will likely cost "tens of billions of dollars," the Times of India reported. Biden has promised the federal government's assistance on his way out of office as firefighters continue to battle blazes.
As infernos rage throughout Southern California, people are being displaced and homes destroyed. The president weighed in on the tragedy in a post to X, formerly Twitter. "Our hearts ache for the 24 innocent souls we have lost in the wildfires across Los Angeles," he wrote.
"Jill and I pray for them and their loved ones. I am being frequently briefed on efforts to suppress these fires and have directed my team to respond promptly to any requests for additional federal firefighting assistance," Biden said in a statement to X on Monday.
Our hearts ache for the 24 innocent souls we have lost in the wildfires across Los Angeles. Jill and I pray for them and their loved ones. We are deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the unprecedented ongoing wildfires across Southern California.
I am being frequently…
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 13, 2025
Biden also held a briefing with Vice President Kamala Harris, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FEMA Director Deanne Criswell, and Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. The outgoing president promised help for the residents to get back on their feet.
"We’re not waiting until those fires are over to start helping the victims. We’re getting them help right now, as you all know," Biden promised at the White House briefing Monday.
"People impacted by these fires are going to receive a one-time payment of $770, one-time payment, so they quickly purchase things like water, baby formula and prescriptions," he added. Biden went on to say that some 6,000 victims signed up with $5.1 million paid out.
“It’s going to cost tens of billions of dollars to get Los Angeles to what it was. We are going to need Congress to step up with the funding," Biden said.
The devastating fires that began last week are not showing any signs of letting up on their own. As CBS News reported, the Santa Ana winds, which blow hot and dry, continue to fuel the spread of fire.
As of Tuesday afternoon, four wildfires were still burning in the Los Angeles area. The largest is the Palisades Fire, which has swallowed up 23,713 acres.
The blaze is only about 17% contained in the western part of Los Angeles County. Meanwhile, Northern L.A.'s Eaton Fire has consumed 14,100 acres and is only 30% contained.
In Ventura County, which borders Los Angeles, the Auto Fire broke out Monday evening and has spread to 56 acres of land. One positive note is that the Hurst Fire, which spanned 799 acres, was 97% controlled by Tuesday.
Biden is correct that the cost will be astronomical to the local, state, and federal governments. It's necessary to help with the cost after the fact, but there must be an invitation into how these fires started and spread so quickly.
