CSAC Bulletin Article

Southern California Fires – Strong Mutual Aid and Expedited Recovery Support Los Angeles County Residents and Businesses

January 16, 2025 Catherine Freeman Amber Rossow

January 16, 2025

From Canadian and Mexican aircraft and ground troops to fire crews from across the Western United States, nearly every nearby region responded with mutual aid to support fire crews battling the Los Angeles County wildfires. Unrelenting Santa Ana winds and critically dry conditions fueled devastating fires across the region. With the additional support and resources, smaller fires were contained as quickly as they began, and the larger fires began to see significant progress in containment.

Disaster Recovery Centers Opened

Los Angeles County Disaster Recovery Centers are providing direct access to state and federal agencies to support fire victims. At a Disaster Recovery Center, residents and business owners can apply for federal assistance and access other available resources from local, state and non-profit agencies. These can include learning about disaster assistance programs, finding housing and rental assistance information, meeting with state agency representatives, and get help from non-profits. To find a Disaster Recovery Center, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a locator available online here.

Governor Expands Special Session to Include Wildfire

The Governor, in coordination with legislative leaders, is proposing to provide $2.5 billion for ongoing emergency response efforts and to quickly move into recovery mode. Much of the funding is eligible for reimbursement from FEMA, however as counties know, this process can take months to years. The expenditure plan for the $2.5 billion will be released in the next few days with an anticipated action by the Legislature before the end of the month.

Governor’s Executive Orders - Debris Removal and Expedited Recovery

Together with the state, Los Angeles County is expediting debris removal for fire victims. The Governor issued an Executive Order directing state agencies to coordinate immediate support for debris removal and recovery. The order also moves into place programs including the programs to protect homes from flood and debris flow during rain events post-wildfire. A second Executive Order suspends California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review and California Coastal Act permitting for reconstruction of properties.

FEMA, working with Cal OES, has mission-tasked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to safely remove and dispose of hazardous waste from homes and structures impacted by the Los Angeles fires, as soon as it is safe to enter the affected areas. Debris removal teams will clean up household hazardous waste, including paint, ammunition, pesticides, propane tanks, and batteries in both conventional and electric vehicles. This is the first — and the most complex — phase of debris removal, which clears the way for the next phase focusing on remaining structural debris, clearing trees at risk of falling and testing the soil for contaminants.

The Governor has issued the following Executive Orders in response to the LA Wildfires:

EXECUTIVE ORDER N-2-25, issued January 8, 2025 – waives: waiting periods for unemployment insurance; fees for identification cards, marriage certificates and records; timely registration or transfer of vehicle titles; requirements imposed on health facilities impacted by the wildfires, adult day care programs, and behavioral health programs and facilities; among others.
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-3-25, January 10, 2025 – Adds flexibilities for health care and emergency workers responding to the wildfires, schools needing time to meet state regulations, and reimbursement of social programs and child care providers.
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-4-25, issued January 12, 2025 – suspends CEQA and permit requirements under the California Coastal Act; and suspends time limitations on price gouging.
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-5-25, issued January 12, 2025 – directs state agencies to coordinate immediate support for debris removal and recovery.
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-6-25, issued January 14, 2025 – addresses state rules on local education agencies and students.
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-7-25, issued January 14, 2025 – Makes unsolicited undervalued offers to purchase property unlawful.
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-8-25, issued January 15, 2025 – allows any entity performing emergency work full power to provide mutual aid to the State of California and any areas affected by the proclaimed state of emergency.