119th CONGRESS 2d Session |
A resolution observing the 1-year anniversary of the 2025 Southern California wildfires.
January 8 (legislative day, January 7), 2026
Mr. Schiff (for himself and Mr. Padilla) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
A resolution observing the 1-year anniversary of the 2025 Southern California wildfires.
Whereas a series of wildfires, exacerbated by extreme Santa Ana winds and dry conditions, broke out in Los Angeles County and its adjacent counties on January 7, 2025;
Whereas the wildfires burned nearly 60,000 acres across the region, killed 31 people, destroyed over 16,000 structures, and displaced over 200,000 Southern Californians;
Whereas the 2 largest fires, the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades and the Eaton Fire in Altadena, burned a combined 37,000 acres and destroyed over 16,000 structures;
Whereas the wildfires devastated homes, schools, businesses, places of worship, and entire neighborhoods;
Whereas the wildfires caused losses that make it one of the costliest natural disasters in the history of the United States;
Whereas more than 7,500 firefighting emergency personnel were deployed to fight the unprecedented fires;
Whereas firefighters and first responders from across California, from the United States Navy and the United States Forest Service, from departments in Oregon, Washington, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Texas, Canada, Mexico, and from 12 Tribal nations mobilized to respond to the fires;
Whereas the firefighters and first responders risked life and limb to preserve and protect lives and property;
Whereas hundreds of volunteers worked tirelessly to tend to those who had lost their homes or loved ones;
Whereas individuals across the United States and around the world expressed their support and sorrow for those affected by the fires;
Whereas, 1 year later, the rebuilding process in the Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and other communities across Southern California continues; and
Whereas continued coordination between Federal, State, and local authorities is required to ensure that those affected by the fires obtain the relief and support they need: Now, therefore be it
Resolved,
(1) honors and remembers those who lost their lives in the wildfires;
(2) recognizes and commends the bravery and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to respond and extinguish the wildfires; and
(3) affirms its commitment to helping Southern California communities continue to rebuild.