This weekend, California Governor Gavin Newsom commended the thousands of firefighters and personnel mobilizing to protect communities in Southern California. For three weeks, they have battled flames along thousands of acres while facing extremely inhospitable conditions on the ground.
Last week, Newsom visited workers and small business owners affected by the devastating fires in Los Angeles.
On social media, he shared videos from his visit to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he met with employees whose homes were destroyed by the Eaton fire in the Eaton neighborhood.
His visit aimed to support over 200 employees impacted by this disaster. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in La Cañada Flintridge, California, is one of the largest employers affected by the Eaton fire.
JPL has played a significant role in developing some of California’s leading firefighting technologies.
According to JPL’s website, the laboratory utilizes Earth satellites and airborne instruments to improve understanding of fires and assist in fire management and mitigation efforts.
Founded in 1936 by researchers from the California Institute of Technology, JPL is a federally funded research and development center owned and sponsored by NASA.
Caltech handles its administration and management. Recently, NASA partnered with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to use soil moisture sensors for fire management and prevention.
Overall, it’s been eight months without rain. The wildfires have burned more than 70 square miles. More than 30 people died, thousands of structures damaged or destroyed, more than 200,000 people evacuated, and $150 billion in damages.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, almost all of Southern California has moderate or severe drought. It is the second-driest period for nearly 150 years. Combine that with hurricane-force winds—winds that blow embers and carry fire, winds so strong they make it difficult to fight those fires from the air—and you have a recipe for disaster.
For nearly three weeks, thousands of firefighters and personnel have mobilized to SoCal to protect our communities.
They've battled flames along thousands of acres while facing extremely inhospitable conditions on the ground.
We commend your bravery. Thank you to our heroes. pic.twitter.com/bbwFhbZkxW
— Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 25, 2025
Some of California's world-leading firefighting technology was developed at @NASAJPL, where I met with some of the 200+ employees whose homes were destroyed by the #EatonFire.@NASA has partnered with @CAL_FIRE to use soil moisture sensors for fire management and prevention. pic.twitter.com/2gF2WtCjCR
— Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 22, 2025
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