Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) led 47 bipartisan members of the California Congressional delegation in urging President Biden to grant Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration in response to the devastating ongoing impacts of the Palisades, Eaton, Franklin, and Hurst fires and the ongoing windstorm event in Los Angeles County. President Biden swiftly approved Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for the major disaster declaration, reflecting the need to ensure timely relief for Los Angeles County residents impacted by these disasters.

The fires raging across Southern California since Tuesday have killed at least two individuals and burned down more than 1,000 structures, forcing more than 110,000 Los Angeles County residents to evacuate. The fires have burned thousands of acres and remain at zero percent containment, with wind gusts up to 100 miles per hour rapidly accelerating the fires’ growth and preventing firefighters from containing the blaze.

The extensive ongoing damage caused by the Palisades, Eaton, Franklin and Hurst fires has overwhelmed the Los Angeles County Fire Department and other local first responders, who are using extensive state and local resources to fight the wildfires. President Biden had provided federal assistance, including a Fire Management Assistance Grant, but a major disaster declaration was urgently needed to improve coordination and provide California with essential assistance and recovery resources.

“These wildfires have caused widespread damage across Los Angeles County that have threatened the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Californians,” wrote the lawmakers. “The wildfires have damaged — and continue to threaten — federal and state highways and roads, critical infrastructure, homes, and buildings.”

“The severity of these wildfires requires additional coordination and a wider range…