Rep. Lieu Urges Federal Support of Wildfire Fighting and Recovery in Letters

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 -- Rep. Ted Lieu, D-California, issued the following news release:

Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) sent letters to FEMA and the House Appropriations Committee urging them to use federal resources to assist with the Getty fire in Los Angeles. More than 17,000 people have already been evacuated because of the fire, which has burned at least 700 acres in two days.

"My staff and I are closely monitoring the Getty fire, and we have been in regular contact with local officials on the ground. I'm incredibly grateful for the brave firefighters and first responders who are working day and night to contain this fire. I appreciate that FEMA has swiftly approved Governor Newsom's Fire Management Assistance grant to support our firefighting efforts. Once we know the extent of the damage, I will work with Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Granger on providing federal funding for my constituents impacted by the fire."

LETTER TO FEMA:

Dear Acting Administrator Gaynor:

Thank you for your public service. On behalf of my constituents in California's 33rd congressional district affected by the Getty fire, I write to request your continued support as California responds to numerous wildfires.

In the past month, several fires have broken out and wreaked havoc across California including two in my congressional district: the Palisades fire and the Getty fire. Early Monday morning, the Getty fire began in my Los Angeles congressional district. In two days, it has burned 700 acres, forcing the evacuation of 17,000 people, destroying or damaging 17 homes, shutting down major highways, and closing numerous schools. The fire remains only 27 percent contained with Santa Ana winds and dangerous conditions expected to continue throughout the week.

It has not even been one year since the Woolsey fire devastated the same region--a disaster from which my community continues to recover. I am very grateful for the assistance the Trump Administration provided to address the Woolsey and other fires in California. The establishment of Disaster Recovery Centers paired with the provision of financial and other federal resources have proved fundamental in helping to rebuild homes, infrastructure, and businesses and keeping our community running.

I deeply appreciate the Governor's request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support our brave firefighters and first responders as they work to stop the Getty fire. Thank you for swiftly approving this request on October 28 to assist in the firefighting effort. As the people of my community race to save lives and then turn to the hard work of rebuilding them, I request your continued support and attention.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

LETTER TO HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS:

Dear Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Granger:

On behalf of my constituents who have been devastated by the Getty fire in Los Angeles, I write to ask you to work with me to ensure Congress provides the necessary federal funding to assist the impacted community with recovery.

In the past month, several fires have broken out and wreaked havoc across California including two in my congressional district: the Palisades fire and the Getty fire. Fortunately, the Palisades fire was quickly contained. The Getty fire, however, began only two days ago and has already burned 700 acres, forcing the evacuation of 17,000 people, destroying or damaging 17 homes, shutting down major highways, and closing numerous schools. At the same time, other parts of the state are being ravaged by the Kincade, Tick, Burris, and other fires, which have burned 80,000 additional acres. These disasters destroy homes, businesses, and infrastructure; strain firefighting and first responder resources; and create a host of health and environmental concerns.

After these fires are extinguished, our communities will face the monumental challenges of rebuilding homes and businesses, recovering possessions, repairing infrastructure, and restoring the environment. As California completes a full assessment of the damage sustained, I am committed to ensuring that recovery in my district happens as expeditiously as possible.

I am very appreciative of the House Committee on Appropriations' efforts to approve supplemental funds for California following the 2018 wildfire season. As we learn the full extent of damage sustained, I ask you to again work with me to provide federal funding for my constituents seeking to rebuild their lives.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.