Sens. Feinstein, Harris to President Trump: Approve Emergency Declaration for Southern California Wildfires

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 -- The office of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, issued the following news release:

Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) sent a letter this morning to President Donald Trump urging the swift approval of California's emergency declaration due to devastating wildfires in five counties. Currently massive wildfires are burning in the counties of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura.

"We are horrified as wildfires once again sweep through California and threaten hundreds of thousands of Americans. This year, California has experienced the worst wildfires in state history," the senators wrote. "The State of California is deploying all available resources, but in order to overcome the massive challenges in containing these blazes and keeping people safe, it is essential that federal assistance be made available as quickly as possible."

The full text of the letter follows:

December 8, 2017

The Honorable Donald J. Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, DC 20500

"Dear Mr. President:

"We strongly support Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.'s request for an Emergency Declaration for Public Assistance for the Counties of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. This assistance is needed because of the catastrophic wildfires that continue to rage throughout much of Southern California. We urge you to approve the Governor's request to make federal assistance available under Section 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

"We are horrified as wildfires once again sweep through California and threaten hundreds of thousands of Americans. This year, California has experienced the worst wildfires in state history. Over the last several days, the Santa Ana winds have at times reached hurricane levels and have rapidly spread wildfire throughout Southern California, burning over 100,000 acres and hundreds of structures as well as leading to thousands of evacuations. The State of California is deploying all available resources, but in order to overcome the massive challenges in containing these blazes and keeping people safe, it is essential that federal assistance be made available as quickly as possible.

"The State is requesting Department of Defense air assets, shelter supplies for the thousands of residents who have been evacuated, assistance with evacuating individuals with access and functional needs, ambulatory transport, and assistance from the Department of Agriculture to evacuate large animals. We appreciate your approval of earlier requests to provide federal assistance, and we ask that you expeditiously approve this request for aid. Thank you for your consideration.

"Sincerely,"

Dianne Feinstein

United States Senator

Kamala Harris

United States Senator