President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have both released statements about the devastating wildfires ravaging Los Angeles this week.
The Context
Los Angeles and its surrounding areas are being razed by at least four fires: Palisades, Eaton, Hurst and Woodley.
Two people have died in the Eaton fire, which ballooned in size to 10,600 acres as of Wednesday afternoon. The Palisades fire, which expanded in size to nearly 3,000 acres, has forced tens of thousands of Los Angeles residents to evacuate amid a severe windstorm.
What To Know
The White House put out a statement from Biden on Tuesday evening.
"I am being frequently briefed on the wildfires in west Los Angeles. My team and I are in touch with state and local officials, and I have offered any federal assistance that is needed to help suppress the terrible Pacific Palisades fire," the statement said.
Biden added that the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to "support areas that are impacted and help reimburse" California "for the immediate firefighting costs."
"My administration will do everything it can to support the response," he said. "I urge the residents of the Pacific Palisades and the surrounding areas of Los Angeles to stay vigilant and listen to local officials."
Trump went a different route with his statement, blaming the catastrophic fires on California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is one of Trump's sharpest critics.
"Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He went on to claim Newsom prioritized protecting the Delta smelt, a small fish species, over the needs of Californians.
"Now the ultimate price is being paid," Trump wrote, adding, "He is the blame for this. On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster!"
What People Are Saying
Newsom's press office said on X that the governor had deployed the California National Guard to assist with firefighting: "Joining pre-positioned personnel & assets, the Governor deployed @TheCalGuard personnel to assist in responding to the #PalisadesFire, #EatonFire & #HurstFire.@TheCalGuard &@CAL_FIRE have a unique partnership unlike any other state—skilled, trained personnel with vast wildfire fighting experience."
Vice President Kamala Harris' neighborhood was told to evacuate on Tuesday night, her press secretary wrote on X: "No one was in her home at the time. She and the Second Gentleman are praying for the safety of their fellow Californians, the heroic first responders, and Secret Service personnel."
What Happens Next
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Palisades fire is at 2,925 acres, the Eaton fire is at 10,600 acres, the Hurst fire is at 505 acres and the Woodley fire is at 30 acres.
Officials have not been able to successfully contain any of them so far, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Update 1/8/25 1:53 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with new information.
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