Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor ratified a local emergency proclamation for the fast-moving Bridge Fire that has been ravaging the Angeles National Forest, including communities in northern Los Angeles County and in San Bernardino County.
“This wildfire has been dynamic and hard to contain due to rugged terrain and a lot of vegetation that has fueled it,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who introduced the motion to ratify the emergency proclamation. “Our County needs help, including all the public funding that’s available. This emergency proclamation is a critical component of our path forward. We will access every possible resource to both extinguish the Bridge Fire, rebuild damaged infrastructure, and help survivors on their road to recovery. It’s a long and hard road–one we’ve been down before, unfortunately.”
Supervisor Barger posed several questions about recovery next steps before the ratification vote took place, including how the public will be supported.
Los Angeles County’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Director, Kevin McGowan, confirmed initial recovery information is now accessible at recovery.lacounty.gov/bridgefire, which will serve as a one-stop-shop for recovery resources.
In-person local assistance centers will also soon be announced, one in Los Angeles County and another one in San Bernardino County. “Local assistance centers help streamline recovery information and provide personalized support,” said OEM Director Kevin McGowan. “Information about homeowners’ insurance coverage, replacing lost or damaged legal documents, and disaster relief will all be available.”
Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations, Jon O’Brien, commented on the steady work of firefighting professionals, who have been working around the clock to contain the Bridge Fire and support initial damage estimates. “We’ve completed about 90% of damage assessments,” said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Deputy Jon O’Brien. “This is time intensive and detailed work that’s being performed hand in hand with emergency management officials from both Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.”
Initial damage estimates help counties corroborate the total amount of loss experienced and can help unleash additional federal recovery support. Disaster damage information will soon be posted at lacounty.gov/emergency
Supervisor Barger also asked what immediate next steps Los Angeles County’s emergency managers will take to facilitate recovery. McGowan confirmed that after launching local assistance centers for survivors, the County will pivot to five recovery pillars and will set up recovery task forces for each. Those pillars are debris removal and rebuilding, health and social services, economic recovery, natural and cultural impacts, and watershed hazard assessment.
“We must start planning for winter storm impacts in these communities,” OEM’s Director Kevin McGowan stated. “In the blink of an eye, the next season of seasonal disaster threats will arrive.”