California wildfires could become costliest disaster in US history
2 Min Read
Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order aimed at expediting the recovery process for fire victims.
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The sun rises behind a home destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades community of Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025 (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
California is facing a catastrophic wildfire season, with Governor Gavin Newsom stating on Sunday that the destruction and economic toll could make it the most expensive disaster in US history.
"I think it will be in terms of just the costs associated with it, in terms of the scale and scope," Newsom told NBC News.
To address the crisis, Governor Newsom signed an executive order aimed at expediting the recovery process for fire victims. The order is designed to eliminate delays in permitting, allowing those who lost their homes and businesses to rebuild more efficiently.
"When the fires are extinguished, victims who have lost their homes and businesses must be able to rebuild quickly and without roadblocks. The executive order I signed today will help cut permitting delays, an important first step in allowing our communities to recover faster and stronger," Newsom explained in a statement issued by his office.
JUST IN: Governor Gavin Newsom signs an executive order suspending environmental laws and easing building permit and review requirements to help L.A. rebuild after fires
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) January 12, 2025
“When the fires are extinguished, victims who have lost their homes and businesses must be able to rebuild… pic.twitter.com/XFWHgvsAMS
Since Tuesday, multiple wildfires have erupted across the state, devastating over 10,000 structures. Meteorologists attribute the rapid spread of the fires to extremely dry conditions combined with strong winds, which have fueled their intensity.
On Friday, President Joe Biden expressed concern that the death toll from the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles is expected to rise, with many individuals still unaccounted for.
"It is likely to increase. Whether it’s significantly or not, we don’t know yet. There are still a lot of people who are unaccounted for. We don’t know where they are," Biden said during remarks to reporters.
