California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the launch of LA Rises on Tuesday, a private sector initiative designed to raise funds to assist residents of Southern California as they recover from the recent devastating fires. This effort aims to address the overwhelming costs associated with rebuilding, with estimates soaring as high as $40 billion.
According to Cal Fire, these fires, which ignited three weeks ago, tragically claimed the lives of 28 people, ravaged over 4,000 square meters of land, and obliterated more than 16,000 buildings. To bolster this initiative, Newsom has enlisted the help of basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Dodgers chairman Mark Walter, and Casey Wasserman, president and chairperson of LA28, to engage other philanthropists.
In a statement on Tuesday, Governor Newsom expressed confidence in their collaborative efforts: “With Mark, Earvin, and Casey’s proven leadership and deep commitment to Los Angeles, we’ll tap into the enormous creativity, experience, and resources of the private sector, alongside local, state, and federal efforts, to deliver a recovery that benefits all Angelenos.”
Walter emphasized the urgency for affluent individuals to step up: “It’s time for those with means to come forward and make a positive impact to build back better.” The initiative has already secured a pledge of up to $100 million from Walter and his family’s foundation, along with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.
Newsom encouraged fire victims to seek support from the new philanthropic effort, known as LA Rises, stating, “We can’t lose hope. It is possible that we can come back more climate resilient, come back stronger.”
As of now, three of the most significant fires affecting the area are nearly fully contained, with the Eaton fire at 99% containment, the Hughes fire at 98%, and the Palisades fire at 95%, according to Cal Fire.
