With eye toward L.A.’s recovery, Governor Newsom issues executive order directing fast action to clear debris, prepare for mudslides and flooding

News

Jan 12, 2025

State also moves to preposition assets throughout Southern California for next round of severe fire weather

What you need to know: Governor Newsom signed his second executive order today to support recovery efforts in Los Angeles - laying groundwork for debris removal and preparing for mudslides and flooding.

LOS ANGELES - Even as the state prepares for another round of severe fire weather with additional firefighting assets augmenting the historic deployment to Southern California, the state is moving quickly to support recovery efforts for the thousands of Californians impacted, and prepare for future risks posed by burn scars and winter weather.

Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order to direct fast action on debris removal work and mitigate the potential for mudslides and flooding in areas burned. With much of the winter still ahead, the risk of rainstorms creating new catastrophes in these areas remains high. At the direction of the Governor, the work to prepare for potential mudslides and flooding begins immediately. Text of the order is available here.

Together, these actions add to the Governor's executive order earlier in the day to help Los Angeles rebuild faster and stronger.

Additionally today, the Governor announced California has prepositioned firefighting personnel and assets throughout Southern California in anticipation of another round of severe fire weather expected to start tomorrow through Wednesday. Prepositioned assets - including 60 engines, 8 helicopters, and 13 dozers and water tender trucks - have been directed to Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.

We're working in real-time to ensure a fast and organized recovery effort - giving Angelenos the tools they need to rebuild faster and stronger. California has been here before: we know what effective wildfire recovery requires, and we're using that experience to move faster than ever to support those impacted by these devastating fires. The road ahead is difficult but California is doing all we can to help Los Angeles rebuild and move forward.

Governor Gavin Newsom

The Governor announced this latest executive order following tours of the devastation caused by the Eaton and Palisades fires, with stops in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades this morning. While there, he met with first responders and wildfire survivors.

State's all-in response

California has mobilized more than 15,000+ personnel including firefighters, guard servicemembers, highway patrol officers and transportation teams to support the ongoing firefight.

In addition, these response efforts include more than 1,900 pieces of firefighting equipment, including 1,390+ engines, 80+ aircraft, 170+ dozers and 160+ water tenders to aid in putting out the fires.

On Tuesday, Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency and he subsequently issued an executive order to support communities affected by the ongoing fires. Text of the executive order is available here. On Wednesday, President Biden quickly approved Governor Newsom's request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to support ongoing response efforts. The state also received continued federal assistance to combat the Hurst, Eaton, and Palisades Fires.

Get help today

Californians can go to CA.gov/LAfires - a hub for information and resources from state, local and federal government.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses from wildfires in Los Angeles County can apply for disaster assistance:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• By calling 800-621-3362
• By using the FEMA smart phone application
• Assistance is available in over 40 languages
• If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

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