It’s Thursday…
President Biden’s public schedule for 01/09/2025:
| 9:05 AMThe President and The First Lady depart the White House en route to National CathedralSouth Grounds In-Town Travel Pool |
| 10:00 AM The President, The First Lady, The Vice President, and The Second Gentleman attend a memorial service for former President Jimmy Carter National Cathedral In-Town Travel Pool |
I removed the parts of the public schedule that covered his trip to Rome. That trip has been canceled.
From the White House…
01/08/2025:
Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre:
After returning this evening from Los Angeles, where earlier today he had met with police, fire and emergency personnel fighting the historic fires raging in the area and approved a Major Disaster declaration for California, President Biden made the decision to cancel his upcoming trip to Italy to remain focused on directing the full federal response in the days ahead. Additional details to follow.
Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. 01/08/2025.
California Wildfire Tweets
From Wednesday…
To the brave men and women who ran towards danger over the past 24 hours in Southern California, I want you to know your President, and the rest of the country, is with you.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 8, 2025
You suited up and risked your lives to save the lives of your fellow Americans. We are indebted to you. pic.twitter.com/8MXeeLf9iD
I’ve just received a briefing from @FEMA Administrator Criswell and my Homeland Security Advisor, Liz Sherwood-Randall, on the latest around our federal response to the wildfires across Los Angeles.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 9, 2025
Southern California, we are with you. And we’re not letting up.
We’re prepared to do anything and everything, as long as it takes, to contain the Southern California fires and help reconstruct. But we know it’ll be a hell of a long way.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 9, 2025
The federal government is here to stay as long as you need us. pic.twitter.com/roLsYjKOki
The video clip is 28 seconds long.
I’ve approved Governor Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration and ordered Federal assistance to supplement response efforts in areas affected by wildfires, ensuring impacted communities and survivors have immediate access to funds and resources to begin their recovery.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 9, 2025
From the White House…
01/08/2025:
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves California Major Disaster Declaration
Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of California and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires and straight-line winds beginning on January 7, 2025, and continuing.
The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Los Angeles County.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding also is available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Los Angeles County.
Finally, Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Mr. Curtis Brown of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves California Major Disaster Declaration. 01/08/2025.
From Thursday…
This morning, I was briefed on the latest impacts of the Los Angeles wildfires.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 9, 2025
And later today, following President Carter’s service, I will convene my team for another briefing, and deliver remarks to the nation regarding our response.
I will update the thread when the live feed is made available.
He retweeted the White House…
Pictured here in Modoc National Forest is Engine 344, one of countless resources our federal government prepositioned up and down California as these fires began.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 9, 2025
The federal government will be here for as long as it takes. pic.twitter.com/H0BWuMwWIT
The White House also sent this tweet.
Bear Divide is one of 6 @forestservice hotshot crews on the Angeles National Forest providing specialized wildland fire response.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 9, 2025
We thank them for their service and sacrifice. pic.twitter.com/ItC0ldpZiv
What we know about the California wildfires
- Fierce wildfires burning out of control in the greater Los Angeles area have killed at least five people and forced 100,000 people from their homes.
- At least five fires are burning covering more than 45 square miles, sparked by dry conditions and powerful winds, causing unprecedented scenes in areas not known for fires.
- The Palisades Fire has burned through more than 17,234 acres, almost 27 square miles. It has destroyed 1,000 structures and is entirely uncontained, making it the most destructive in L.A. history.
- The latest blaze, the Sunset Fire, started shortly before 6 p.m. in the Hollywood Hills and has grown to 60 acres while threatening iconic landmarks.
- More than 350,000 energy customers were without power early today, including 200,000 in L.A. County, the most populous county in the country.
- The intense Santa Ana winds have eased compared to the past two days, but wind gusts are still forecast to be 40-50 mph today and 50-70 mph tonight into tomorrow morning.
Jimmy Carters Funeral
From Thursday…
Join @FLOTUS, @VP, @SecondGentleman, and me as we attend a memorial service for former President Jimmy Carter. https://t.co/0d5Hm7ibZB
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 9, 2025
@the News Blender has a separate thread for Former President Carter’s Funeral Service.
This is an open thread
