𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

California announced a $2.5 billion fire relief package to bolster funding to help the Los Angeles area recover from its recent deadly wildfires.

Lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the bills, which had support on both sides of the political aisle, which now head to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.

The proposals include $2.5 billion for the state’s emergency disaster response efforts such as evacuations, sheltering survivors and removing household hazardous waste. They also approved $4 million for local governments to streamline approvals for rebuilding homes, and $1 million to support school districts and help them rebuild facilities.

“$2.5B will be made available immediately for disaster recovery, debris removal, and more as we bolster ongoing emergency response efforts for the LA fires,” Newsom tweet on Thursday evening.

“We’re helping Angelenos rebuild their homes and businesses faster and acting in real time to get the job done.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The president is flying down to the embattled City of Angels on Friday to survey the damage from the recent raging wildfires, having been highly critical of California Governor Gavin Newsom and local officials’ response to the disaster.

Trump has been issuing pronouncements like the below for the last two weeks while his congressional allies have suggested the blue state should only receive federal aid if “conditions” are attached, none of which can have been very helpful to the heroic emergency efforts on the ground still underway to tackle the blaze.

Meanwhile, Newsom has said he has had no communication from the White House about the visit.

Warm, windy and dry conditions which have plagued much of the Los Angeles areas over the last week are due to take a turn, according to the National Weather Service.

While peak gusts are expected to hit 50mph in some mountainous regions of southern California on Friday morning, temperatures are expected to decline to the upper 60F and lower 70F from Friday as a cold storm system moves over the region.

Saturday looks on track to bring chances of rain, thunderstorms, and snow (in mountainous regions above 3,000ft), the agency said.

LA county officials warned of potential flooding, mudslides and debris run-off in scorched areas. So called “whiplash”-style swings between dry and wet conditions can also create broad swathes of dry, tinder-like vegetation that can easily catch fire.

Firefighters continue to wrangle with the Hughes and Laguna fires raging across the Los Angeles area.

The Hughes blaze grew rapidly near Castaic Lake, about 45 miles northwest of LA, on Wednesday evening. As of Friday morning, the flames spread across 10,396 acres and is at 36 percent containment.

The Laguna Fire, which started in Camarillo in Ventura County on Thursday, is now 70 percent contained after engulfing 93.5 acres.

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt are suing the city of Los Angeles after their Pacific Palisades home was destroyed in the devastating wildfires that have torn through southern California.

The reality TV couple, who rose to fame starring in hit teen series Laguna Beach and The Hills, filed the lawsuit on Tuesday (21 January) along with more than 20 other property owners and residents who have been affected by the Palisades Fire.

They are described as “property owners, tenants and individuals” who suffered “untold devastation” due to the fires such as damaged homes, insurance coverage shortfalls, mandatory evacuations, medical expenses, business interruptions and emotional distress.

Roisin O’Connor has the story.