U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) on Jan. 21 praised Vice President Kamala Harris’ announcement that California will receive $600 million for wildfire recovery and prevention efforts.

“Wildfires have always been part of our reality in California,” Schiff said. “But, the infernos we have battled over the past few years – including the two largest wildfires in our state’s history – are a dire warning that we must utilize every available resource to protect our people, lands and communities. This federal disaster relief will be crucial for building up California’s resilience to the worsening impacts of the climate crisis, especially when paired with the funding still to come from the historic bipartisan infrastructure package. I applaud the administration’s focus on helping our families and communities combat wildfires.”

He said all residents must do everything they can to address the impacts and to reverse the course of climate change.

“We need nothing less than an Apollo Project-level investment in clean energy development that will slow the warming of our planet, put hundreds of thousands of people to work in green jobs and leave a safer, healthier planet for our children and grandchildren,” he added. “Otherwise, the next generation will inherit a very different Golden State.”

Harris and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack were in Southern California on Jan. 21 to make the announcement. It is part of $1.3 billion in federal disaster aid to help communities to clear hazardous vegetation, restore forests and repair infrastructure damaged by wildfires.

California is also expected to receive a share of $5 billion for wildfire prevention and preparation efforts in the bipartisan infrastructure package Congress passed last November.