Australian PM Delivers Message of Support to US President Amid California Fires

The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. AP Photo/Ethan Swope

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has conveyed a message of support to U.S. President Joe Biden amid the raging fires sweeping Los Angeles, California.

The wildfires have devasted areas including the Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Sunset, and the San Fernando Valley with five people dead and 22 injured.

Albanese revealed he had personally sent a message to the U.S. president during a press conference in Western Australia, noting “I have a direct line.”

“It is tragic that there has already been a significant loss of life in the United States on the West Coast, and all Australians express our support and myself as prime minister sent a message to the president ... expressing our support in what is a difficult time,” Albanese said told reporters.

“Our American friends, we are always available to help our American friends.”

U.S. President Biden cancelled a trip to Rome scheduled for Jan.9 to monitor the response to the fires from Washington. Biden officially concludes his term on Jan. 20, when Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president.

Meanwhile, Albanese has campaigned in Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory all week, as many politicians remain on holiday.

Discussing the Californian fires further, Albanese said the fires were devastating and acknowledged the images could be distressing for Australians.

“They‘ll be triggering for people who’ve been through bushfires, including still continuing around the Grampians in Victoria. And so I say to people, if you need assistance, reach out. It’s strong to put your hand up and say, ’I need help,'” Albanese said.

The prime minister also noted the fires were taking place in the winter in the United States, which he suggested was unusual.

“This is, of course, our peak season and it says something that this is coming into their winter. So, this is not a normal event. But more and more we are seeing a pattern where there is a new normal of more extreme weather events and more intensity to them.

During his visit to Western Australia (WA) , Albanese announced more than $200 million for housing and community infrastructure in the state’s regions.

However, ahead of his visit, WA Opposition Leader Shane Love branded the prime minister “east coast Albanese” and accused the federal government of “short-changing Western Australia.”

Love claimed a total of $2.6 billion in projects were being delayed or cancelled since 2022.

“East coast Albanese has slashed, delayed or cancelled critical WA projects while pouring $7.2 billion into a single road project in Queensland,” Love said, while tapping into parochial local attitudes towards the country’s east.

Meanwhile, the new Liberal federal candidate for Bullwinkel, Mia Davies, previously the WA opposition leader, also raised concerns about funding.

“Over the next five years, WA will receive less federal road funding than any other mainland state, despite having the largest road network in the country,” Davies said.

WA does, however, receive support in other areas including an increasing portion of the GST distribution.

Fires Continue to Rage in California

Fires have swept through the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and Sunset covering 30,000 acres and destroying over 1,000 structures including homes.

In Palisades, about 100,000 residents have been evacuated, including movie stars. Thousands of firefighters are continuing to battle the blazes.

The Sunset Fire blaze broke out about 6 p.m. California time on Jan. 8 in the famous Runyon Canyon area of the Hollywood Hills.

President Biden approved California Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration on Jan. 8.

Newsom and Biden were briefed by local and state emergency officials at a fire station in Santa Monica.

The presidential declaration will help enable federal taxpayer funding to help  state, tribal, and local governments cover emergency response costs. Further, it includes individual assistance programs for citizens and businesses.

“The situation in Los Angeles is highly dangerous and rapidly evolving. President Biden’s swift action is a huge lift for California—as we throw everything we can into protecting residents with substantial state, local and federal resources,” Newsom said.

“To all those in Southern California, please continue to listen to local authorities and don’t wait, evacuate if asked.”

However, U.S. President-elect Trump called on Newsom to resign in a post to Truth Social in the late evening on Jan. 8.

“One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground. It’s ashes...” he said. The president-elect has also long criticised California’s water and environmental management practices leaving the state’s forest areas vulnerable to bush fires.