OLYMPIA—In response to the deadly Los Angeles (LA) fires, Washington State’s Emergency Management Division is coordinating nine task forces made up of 45 engines, 11 trucks and 146 personnel with fire departments across the state. The state’s Department of Natural Resources will also be sending additional fire equipment and personnel.
“I have been in touch with Governor Newsom and have assured him that Washington stands ready to do whatever we can to assist in this crisis,” Governor Inslee wrote in a statement announcing. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to the dedicated firefighters and first responders from Washington state who have volunteered to assist in the fight against these fires. Their selflessness and commitment to helping others, regardless of state lines, is a testament to the strength of our shared values and the spirit of service that defines us.”
Via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, Washington state received a request Tuesday night to assist California with the Los Angeles County fire. Earlier Tuesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue and South County Fire deployed firefighters to assist with the fires in California.
In addition to Washington’s support, California has requested and received commitments for 75 engines from Oregon, 5 engines from New Mexico, 10 engines from Utah and 25 engines from Idaho, who will be supplying hundreds of additional firefighters.
Governor Newsom announced that as of January 8, more than 7,500 firefighting and emergency personnel have been deployed to protect LA communities affected by the fires.
At a 5:50 p.m. media briefing on Wednesday, it was disclosed that a total of six fires hit Los Angeles laying waste to tens of thousands of acres. At least 100,000 residents so far are under evacuation orders. At 3 p.m. Wednesday, up to 1.5 million people are without power at its peak due to the fire. Reports as of 8 p.m. are now showing approximately 274,000 without power in Los Angeles.
Below is the summary of the fires in Los Angeles:
- The Palisades fire which is west of Los Angeles, started Tuesday morning, has burned about 18 square miles, and is zero percent contained.
- The Eaton fire which isnorth of Pasadena, started Tuesday night, has burned about 16.5 square miles, and killed at least five people.
- The Hurst fire, which is inthe San Fernando Valley, started Tuesday night, and has burned nearly a square mile.
- The Woodley fire started early Wednesday morning.
- The Lidia fire started later in the day Wednesday. As of Wednesday evening, the blaze was 30% contained, according to Cal Fire.
- The Hollywood Hills fire located near Runyon Canyon, started Wednesday evening has burnt at least 20 acres and growing.
Fire officials report more than 1,000 homes and businesses have burned so far across LA County with another 28,000 structures now threatened by fires.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has received criticism for cutting the fire department’s funding by $17.6 million in the latest approved city budget that was passed in June 2024.
According to Newsweek, Bass proposed $814,281,952 for the fire department—with $77,957,494 for salaries and $41,324,458 for expenses. This amounted to a decrease of $22,909,285 since the department’s funding for the 2023-2024 fiscal year was $837,191,237.
The adopted budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year increased the amount for the fire department to $819,637,423, according to a summary on the city administrative officer’s website. Resulting in an adopted fire budget decrease of $17,553,814.
“As wildfires ravage parts of Southern California, our thoughts are with those affected by this devastating disaster,” Governor Inslee wrote in a statement announcing Washington’s fire support. “The destruction has been immense, and the brave men and women on the front lines are putting their lives at risk to protect communities and save lives.”
Author: Mario Lotmore
