California is counting on outside resources to bolster its response to the wildfires burning across Los Angeles County, Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla said Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press.
“Now the whole world knows what we mean when we say ‘red flag warnings,’” Padilla said. “When it’s dry, when it’s warm and the winds kick up, regardless of the cause of a fire, it has the chance to spread much more quickly,” he continued.
When asked whether he has faith in Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, the senator said, “I do have faith in our leaders, and not just as individuals, but especially because we — after disaster, after disaster, after disaster — have gotten really good at working together.”
Padilla said the state could always use more resources, but the mutual aid assistance program has helped provide some relief.
Crews have come in from Central and Northern California, as well as a number of other states including Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah, to help fight the fires, he said.
“Collectively, we’re putting all the resources we can towards fighting these fires,” he said.
When asked whether he believes incoming President Donald Trump will uphold President Joe Biden’s promise to have the federal government cover 100% of California’s recovery costs for at least six months, Padilla cited an invitation for Trump to tour the impacted areas.
“Just as Californians have been there for other regions of the country in their times of crisis, it’s time for the country to unite behind California, and that includes incoming President Trump,” he said.
Editor’s Note: A new episode of “The Whole Story: LA Burning” premieres tonight at 8 p.m. ET on CNN. Anderson Cooper examines the conditions that led to this outbreak and the stories of those who have lost everything.
