Board asks state and federal partners for aid as county outlines wildfire recovery needs

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 on Jan. 21 to ask legislative advocates to pursue state and federal assistance for recovery from this month’s Palisades and Eaton wildfires.

Supervisor Horvath, who introduced the motion, said the fires produced “unprecedented” destruction and urged the county to press Sacramento and Washington, D.C., to make additional resources available quickly. "The costs that will be incurred to clear debris and make our land developable once again are astronomical," she said.

Why it matters: Officials said the county needs immediate help for debris removal, hazardous-waste assessments, public-health protections and temporary housing. County staff described a multiagency cleanup process that will include federal, state and local partners and urged residents to follow health guidance when they return to burn areas.

What officials told the board

- Fire response and recovery: "We're still in response mode," said Chief Maroney of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, adding that the county will move to recovery operations after full containment and will coordinate permitting and rebuilding with…