Council approves Dunn proposal to aid Los Angeles during historic fires 

January 14, 2025

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn on Tuesday introduced legislation, which the Council unanimously approved, to establish a county response plan aiding the residents of Los Angeles after the devastating fires of the past week. The fires have already killed 24 people, left 16 missing, and destroyed thousands of homes. 

“So many King County residents have family and friends affected by these devastating fires, and we owe it to our fellow Americans to do all we can to aid our neighbors when they are in danger and distress,” Dunn said. “As a county well-experienced in wildfire risk, we can provide expertise, surplus materials, and resources to help them get through this historic disaster, as well as give opportunities for our residents to send aid to the recovery.”

The legislation requests that the King County Executive provide a county response to the LA fires that would address opportunities King County has to assist residents affected by the fire including: 

• Collaborating with and providing support to local nonprofit organizations that have established ties to the people of Los Angeles and that are already providing support to the relief effort;
• Leveraging employee giving programs that provide leave for volunteer service, and donation of vacation or compensatory hours to nonprofit organizations to provide opportunities for county employees to support the relief efforts;
• Donating any county surplus resources, such as medical supplies, hygiene products, and emergency supply kits;
• Offering technical expertise from county personnel, particularly from employees in the Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Natural Resources and Parks; and
• Collaborating with federal, state, and local governments to provide support to the people of Los Angeles efficiently and with minimal administrative burden.

The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings for severe fire conditions through Wednesday of this week, with sustained winds of 50 mph (80 kph) and gusts in the mountains reaching 70 mph (113 kph). The most dangerous day is expected to be today, January 14.