King County Council unanimously backs emergency motion to send aid to communities affected by Southern California fires

The King County Council on Jan. 14 adopted emergency Motion 2025-0021 directing the executive to provide a county response to support people affected by the fires in the Greater Los Angeles area. The motion passed 9-0 after the council adopted a friendly amendment to emphasize housing stability for displaced residents.

Council Vice Chair Joe Dunn, the motion’s sponsor, told colleagues the motion asks the executive to consult with nonprofit partners, leverage county employee giving and donation of vacation or compensatory time, donate surplus county resources such as medical supplies and hygiene kits, offer technical assistance from county staff with relevant expertise, and collaborate with federal, state and local governments already providing support to the region. “It is the right thing to do as a community,” Dunn said, describing the motion as an effort to “lend a hand when we are able to do so.”

Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda moved Amendment 1, which the council accepted as a friendly amendment. Mosqueda said the amendment was intended to “put the focus” on rebuilding housing and ensuring renter stability for families who lost homes, and to support strong labor standards in rebuilding. Councilmember Claudia Balducci and others described local connections to the affected region and thanked first responders; multiple councilmembers noted local fire districts and county agencies have already deployed firefighters or strike teams.

Councilmember Rod Dombowski suggested the executive evaluate County surplus assets — including large temporary structures previously used during the COVID-19 pandemic that are stored in the American Southwest — to determine whether they could be sent to Southern California for sheltering needs. Council members also referenced California’s recently enacted anti–price–gouging law limiting rent increases after a governor-declared state of emergency; Mosqueda cited the law while urging protections for renters.

The council adopted Amendment 1 and then adopted Motion 2025-0021 as amended on recorded votes of 9 ayes and 0 noes. The adopted motion leaves implementation details to the executive to determine how best to coordinate donations, technical assistance and intergovernmental collaboration.

The council’s action included specific directions to consult nonprofit partners, use employee giving and leave policies where appropriate, donate surplus resources, and coordinate with other governments; it also emphasized housing stability and renter protections in the aftermath of large-scale displacement.