WASHINGTON — As uncontrolled wildfires rage around Los Angeles, the Biden administration announced Wednesday it approved a Major Disaster Declaration for California. The declaration allows survivors to access funds and other resources immediately to help in the region's recovery.

What You Need To Know

  • As uncontrolled wildfires rage around Los Angeles, the Biden administration announced Wednesday it approved a Major Disaster Declaration for California

  • The declaration allows survivors to access funds and other resources immediately to help in the region's recovery

  • Federal Emergency Management Administration Director Deanne Criswell will travel to California on Friday

  • Uncontrolled wildfires have killed two people and destroyed more than 1,000 structures

President Joe Biden is “closely monitoring ongoing response efforts and is receiving regular briefings” from his staff as well as California fire officials, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other officials in affected areas, the White House said in a statement. 

Earlier Wednesday, Biden met with Newsom and Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., at the Santa Monica Fire Department, which has been dispatching trucks and personnel to fight the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.

As of 3:30 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, two people had died and more than 1,000 homes, businesses and other structures had been destroyed. The Palisades fire in western Los Angeles has burned about 12,000 acres. The Eaton Fire near Pasadena has burned more than 10,600 acres.

Biden directed Federal Emergency Management Administration Director Deanne Criswell to travel to California on Friday to assess community needs on the ground, including additional shelter options.

“Thank you @POTUS for your swift response and aid to California as we work to battle these unprecedented wildfires,” Newsom posted on X following Biden’s disaster declaration.

Tuesday night, as wildfires burned in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of western Los Angeles and erupted just north of the city near Pasadena, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to reimburse the state for firefighting costs. 

The White House said the National Interagency Fire Center is ready to deploy additional resources to the area, including additional personnel and equipment for firefighting.