California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday that federal assistance has been secured to combat the rapidly spreading Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County, which has already burned more than 1,260 acres and threatens 6,000 structures.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to help fund firefighting efforts. The grant, provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund, will reimburse local, state and tribal agencies for 75% of eligible fire suppression costs.
"Our deepest thanks go to our expert firefighters and first responders who jumped quickly into fighting this dangerous fire," Newsom said during a visit to Pacific Palisades. "In addition to prepositioning dozens of firefighting engines and personnel in advance of the fire threat, we have secured funding from the federal government to fight this destructive, fast-moving fire."
The fire began at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday near Topanga Canyon, prompting evacuation orders for the Palisades area.
In preparation for critical fire weather conditions, state emergency services officials deployed 65 fire engines and more than 120 additional firefighting resources across seven Southern California counties. Cal Fire moved 45 additional engines and six hand crews to the affected region.
Officials warn that dangerous fire conditions are expected to persist through Thursday across Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties.
