Rep. Chu leads peers on tour of Eaton Fire destruction in California

Members of Congress from California, including Rep. Judy Chu, visited the devastated areas of Altadena and northern Pasadena on Saturday to survey the damage caused by the ongoing Eaton Fire. The fire, which has spread to over 14,100 acres with only 15% containment, has already destroyed about 7,000 structures, according to Cal Fire.

Rep. Chu, whose district includes the hardest-hit communities in Los Angeles County, led her colleagues on a tour of the destroyed neighborhoods and streets. The group witnessed the aftermath of the fire, including the charred remains of homes, businesses, and community institutions.

During the tour, Pasadena officials briefed the Members of Congress on the ongoing fire containment efforts and the challenges faced in the rebuilding process. They emphasized the need for federal support to aid in the recovery and highlighted the impact on Black families who have lost generational wealth due to the destruction.

Estimates of the damage and economic losses from the fire have soared to $135 billion, underscoring the urgent need for disaster relief funding. Rep. Chu expressed her commitment to working with her colleagues to secure the necessary resources for recovery and rebuilding. She also vowed to push for legislation to prevent such disasters from occurring in the future.

The visit underscored the importance of intergovernmental cooperation in responding to natural disasters and providing relief to those affected. Rep. Chu stressed the need for bipartisan emergency disaster appropriations to support the long recovery process ahead.

The Members of Congress in attendance, including Rep. Pete Aguilar, Rep. Maxine Waters, Rep. Linda Sanchez, Rep. Norma Torres, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, and Rep. Luz Rivas, all expressed their solidarity with the impacted communities and their commitment to securing the necessary resources for rebuilding.

As the recovery efforts continue, it is clear that the road ahead will be long and challenging. However, with the support of federal, state, and local partners, Californians affected by the Eaton Fire can begin the process of rebuilding and healing.

This article was rewritten by Alexandra Koch, a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital, with a focus on capturing the key points and details from the original source while presenting the information in a unique and engaging manner.