California’s response to the Los Angeles wildfire emergency has sparked debate over state and federal coordination as the Pentagon stands ready to assist.
At a Glance
- Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency and mobilized over 12,000 personnel
- President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration, enabling federal aid
- The Pentagon is prepared to deploy 500 Marines and equipment, but has not been requested
- A new website, CA.gov/LAfires, launched to support wildfire survivors with resources
- Controversy arose over LA Mayor’s alleged rejection of New York Fire Department assistance
State Response and Federal Aid
As wildfires ravage Los Angeles, California’s response has become a focal point of national attention. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a State of Emergency and mobilized over 12,000 personnel, including firefighters and National Guard members. The state has also deployed more than 1,660 pieces of firefighting equipment to combat the blazes that have destroyed over 10,000 homes and buildings in the area.
But he doesn’t want residents to go to him for help. He’s told them to go to Biden, instead.
President Joe Biden approved a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, paving the way for federal assistance. This declaration enables affected Californians to apply for various federal aid programs. Governor Newsom announced that Los Angeles wildfire survivors can now access these resources, emphasizing the state’s commitment to supporting its citizens during this crisis.
“To the thousands of Californians who are impacted by these unprecedented fires, know that we have your back. Thanks to our strong partnership with the federal government and the President’s swift action, Californians can apply now for federal assistance. Even as we make resources available to help folks recover, we’re still laser-focused on fighting these fires and protecting lives and property,” Governor Gavin Newsom said.
So, basically, he can’t help them but the White House will.
Got it.
Pentagon’s Readiness and State’s Hesitation
Despite the severity of the situation, California has not yet requested assistance from the Pentagon to combat the Los Angeles fires. The Department of Defense stands prepared to deploy 500 active-duty Marines and essential equipment, including 10 Navy helicopters equipped with water delivery buckets for airdrops. These resources are strategically positioned at March Air Reserve Base, a FEMA staging area located just 60 miles east of Los Angeles.
“Why isn’t the military putting all of their forces right now on the ground? We have to work with the state,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said at a Pentagon briefing Friday.
The Pentagon’s readiness to assist extends beyond firefighting capabilities. They are prepared to provide route clearance, supply distribution, search and rescue operations, and air support. However, the deployment of these resources hinges on a formal request from California state officials.
Amidst the crisis, controversy erupted over reports that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass had rejected an offer of assistance from the New York Fire Department.
It’s both believable and completely unbelievable.
The claim was of course swiftly denied by Los Angeles Deputy Mayor of Communications Zach Seidl, who stated, “This is false, we have never rejected resources – LA welcomes any and all help to fight fires.” The incident highlights the complexities of coordinating multi-state responses to natural disasters.
We’ll find out soon enough who’s telling the truth.