Amid the aftermath of the Los Angeles firestorm that left many Californians to pick up the pieces, Governor Gavin Newsom has been actively engaging with those affected by the devastation. In a recent visit, detailed by the Governor's Office, Newsom met with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) workers who faced significant personal losses due to the Eaton Fire. These conversations centered around recovery efforts and pressing concerns such as home insurance.
During his time at JPL in La Cañada Flintridge, it became clear that hundreds of employees had their lives altered, with homes lost and the threat of displacement looming. Governor Newsom, alongside Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger, listened to concerns and discussed how to move forward. It's worth mentioning that JPL, which manages the Deep Space Network and supports California's fire management with soil moisture sensors, has created a disaster relief fund to aid its employees, raising over $2 million thus far, according to the Governor's Office.
Newsom also took time to meet with small business owners Kevin Hockin and Rosanna Kvernmo, whose story captures the personal toll of the disaster. Their thriving brick-and-mortar pizza shop, Side Pie, borne out of a pandemic pop-up effort, was destroyed in the fire. The couple's residence also sustained damage. They are determined to rebuild when conditions permit them to safely do so.
Reiterating the extensive impact of the fires, Newsom stated, "Thousands of hard-working Californians lost their homes, their businesses and their livelihoods to this firestorm," as per the Governor's Office. The Governor highlighted that the path to recovery will be long and committed to the state's support in the process. In addition, Newsom also recently issued an executive order aimed to swiftly hasten efforts to stabilize fire-ravaged areas, protect them against potential mudslides, and bolster flood defenses – all vital steps in mitigating further damage to the already scarred communities.
