California Secures Federal Assistance to Support Response to Hurst Fire in Los Angeles County

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom announced early Wednesday that California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide critical resources for fighting the Hurst Fire, which continues to rage in Los Angeles County amid extreme fire weather conditions in Southern California.

“We are working vigorously to ensure maximum support for firefighting efforts in Los Angeles, including the Hurst Fire, which is now threatening San Fernando and Newhall. Thank you to all our firefighting personnel and first responders protecting Californians in harm’s way,” said Governor Newsom.

The Hurst Fire, which ignited at 10:25 p.m. Tuesday near Diamond Road in Sylmar, has burned over 500 acres. Evacuation orders are in place for more than 44,000 people, with evacuation warnings for an additional 27,000 residents. The fire has placed 40,000 structures at risk.

Federal Assistance and Statewide Coordination

The FMAG, provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund, will cover up to 75% of eligible fire suppression costs for local, state, and tribal agencies responding to the blaze. This comes on the heels of FMAGs secured for the Palisades and Eaton Fires earlier this week.

On Sunday, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services prepositioned 65 fire engines and over 120 firefighting personnel across Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties. Additionally, CAL FIRE has deployed 45 engines and six hand crews to bolster the firefighting effort.

Ongoing Crisis in Southern California

Southern California is enduring a devastating wildfire season exacerbated by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds. In addition to the Hurst Fire, the Palisades Fire has burned over 2,900 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains, and the Eaton Fire has consumed more than 2,200 acres near Pasadena. Together, these fires have forced tens of thousands to flee their homes and destroyed entire neighborhoods.

Evacuations and Safety Warnings

Mandatory evacuations are underway for affected regions, with emergency shelters established for residents and their pets. The National Weather Service has issued a "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Fire Weather Warning through Thursday. Californians are urged to follow updates from local authorities and visit ready.ca.gov for preparedness tips.

How to Stay Informed

TNW News is providing live updates on the Hurst Fire and other ongoing wildfires across platforms, including TNWWeather.com, NewsBreak, and social media. Residents can access evacuation maps, emergency alerts, and resources via lacounty.gov/emergency.

Unified Effort

Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of coordination and vigilance: “Our priority remains the safety of Californians as we navigate one of the most catastrophic fire events in recent memory.”

Stay tuned to TNW News for continuous coverage and information on disaster response efforts.