President Joe Biden announced that victims of the California wildfires will be eligible for a $770 one-time payment meant to be used on essential items like water, prescriptions and paying for temporary shelter in the immediate aftermath of fires that have killed two dozen people so far and destroyed more than 12,000 homes, schools and other structures in Los Angeles County.
A view of damaged structures and homes caused by the Palisades Wildfires on Jan. 13, 2025 in Malibu.
Biden this week said $5.1 million has already been delivered to nearly 6,000 survivors who registered for the program through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Critical Needs Assistance Program.
In addition to the one-time payment, victims and businesses that have suffered disaster-related losses or damages are also eligible for other assistance programs through FEMA.
About 33,000 people have reportedly registered for FEMA assistance since Friday, when wildfire victims became eligible to apply for help.
Victims of the fires can apply for assistance through the FEMA mobile app, at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.
The one-time payment announcement came a week after Biden said the federal government will cover 100% of the costs of California’s efforts to fight the wildfires for 180 days, including paying for the removal of wildfire debris for six months, but FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell warned cleanup will take longer.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
If the fires continue to spread. The National Weather Service put its “particularly dangerous situation” red flag warning into effect for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties early Tuesday, warning the "environment that is favorable to very rapid fire growth." The largest of the still-burning fires, the Palisades fire and Eaton fire, were 17% and 35% contained, respectively, as of late Tuesday morning.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Tuesday indicated he may add conditions to future federal relief aid for California wildfires, suggesting there be "consequences" for local leaders who "made decisions that made the disaster exponentially worse." California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have been the subject of criticism for how they handled the fires, particularly from president-elect Donald Trump, who blamed Newsom for LA's low water supply and Bass for cutting the city's fire department budget. Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said last week that Bass failed the LAFD, and Janisse Quiñones, CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, said the water system was pushed "to the extreme" while battling the blazes. Trump called for Newsom to resign over the situation. Republican congressional leaders who met with Trump last weekend have reportedly discussed tying future wildfire relief funding to the battle of raising the debt ceiling, according to Politico, and Johnson on Tuesday said House members have discussed the idea.
At least 24 people have died since a series of wildfires started burning in Los Angeles county one week ago. Four active fires were still burning Tuesday afternoon, including the Palisades Fire, which has burned almost 24,000 acres near Malibu and Calabasas, and the Eaton fire, which has burned more than 14,000 acres near Pasadena. Other smaller fires, including the Auto, Kenneth, Lidia and Hurst fires, have burned more land since last week. The wildfires—the cause of which is still under investigation—have destroyed more than 12,000 homes, businesses, schools and other structures and caused residents to evacuate in what could be the most expensive wildfire disaster in American history. Landmarks destroyed in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, hit the hardest so far, include places like Palisades Charter High School (used in films "Carrie" and "Freaky Friday”), Will Rogers State Historic Park, the Getty Villa and Theatre Palisades. It has also destroyed the homes of dozens of celebrities, including actors Eugene Levy, Mel Gibson, Jeff Bridges, Milo Ventimiglia and John Goodman.