Gov. Newsom secures FEMA support for 3 California wildfires that have torched 100,000 acres
Governor Gavin Newsom secured additional federal support for the three major wildfires currently raging in Southern California, which have burned more than 100,000 acres combined.
He recently requested assistance from Federal Emergency Management Agency over the weekend due to the Line Fire, which at that time had burned around 7,000 acres of brush in the San Bernardino Mountains. As days passed, the fire exploded in size, erupting to engulf more than 34,000 acres and putting thousands of homes in danger of being destroyed.
Now with two more devastating wildfires currently ravaging the state's forests — the Airport Fire currently burning in both Orange and Riverside Counties and the Bridge Fire in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties — Gov. Newsom on Tuesday again requested a Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA.
The federal support was secured for the Bridge Fire on Tuesday, and on Wednesday morning, the governor announced he secured more federal assistance for the Airport Fire.
In total, the three wildfires have burned through more than 100,000 acres as of Wednesday morning.
On Monday, FEMA officials had accepted Newsom's request for assistance with the Line Fire.
In another move to assist with the emergencies, the governor also activated the National Guard on Monday, assigning thousands to help with the wildfires and protect the threatened communities.
"We are working day and night to protect communities up and down the state of California. Our response includes nearly 6,000 boots on the ground, hundreds of engines and water tankers, and the world's largest aerial firefighting force," says a statement from Gov. Newsom's office. "Thank you to our brave firefighters, soldiers and first responders for the 24/7 work to keep our communities safe."
In all, more than 5,700 members were deployed, as well as 51 helicopters, nine fixed-wing aircraft, 520 fire engines, 75 dozers and 141 water tankers.
California wildfires have torched nearly one million acres so far in 2024.
