President Biden on Wednesday told exhausted firefighters who’ve been battling wildfires in Los Angeles that he had some “good news” for them — he’s become a great-grandfather.

“It’s astounding what’s happening,” Mr. Biden said after meeting firefighters at Santa Monica Fire Department Station #5. 

“The good news is I’m a great-grandfather as of today. Ten-pound baby girl — baby boy —  so I’ll remember this day,” Mr. Biden said.

After announcing the new addition to his family, Mr. Biden concluded his remarks and did not answer questions shouted at him by reporters. He briefly read from a sheet of paper detailing the federal response to the crisis. 

Mr. Biden had not spoken publicly about the devastating wildfires and pounding winds that have battered the greater Los Angeles area. He had traveled to Los Angeles earlier in the week to announce the creation of two national monuments in California that will honor Native American tribes.

Mr. Biden was expected to return to Washington earlier in the day, but made a last-minute change to his schedule so he could get an in-person briefing from first responders and officials on the wildfires. 

During the briefing, a Santa Monica firefighter told the president that so, far two residents in Pacific Palisades, California have died because of the wildfires.

Besides the devastated Pacific Palisades, there are three other major fires raging in Los Angeles County and wind speeds have prevented fire helicopters from taking to the air. 

Ahead of Mr. Biden’s visit to the local firehouse, he joined first lady Jill Biden at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, where his granddaughter Naomi Biden gave birth via C-section earlier Wednesday. 

Mr. Biden is believed to be the first president to become a great-grandfather while in the White House. 

Naomi Biden is the daughter of the president’s son, Hunter Biden. She married her husband, Peter Neal, in a White House ceremony in 2022.

• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.