LOS ANGELES – Continuing to have an eye on recovery and rebuilding, Governor Gavin Newsom today met with workers and small business owners affected by the devastating Los Angeles firestorm to hear their stories and highlight the work of the State to help communities rebuild.
The governor visited NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in La Cañada Flintridge for a conversation with employees affected by the Eaton Fire. Hundreds of JPL employees have lost their homes, and more than 100 others are at risk of being displaced due to damage to their homes. Joined by Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Governor Newsom spoke with staff about rebuilding efforts, as well as concerns about home insurance.
As the largest employer of those affected by the Eaton Fire, JPL launched a disaster relief fund to help employees, which has already raised more than $2 million. JPL operates the Deep Space Network, a global network of antennas that communicate with spacecraft. The NASA installation has partnered with CAL FIRE to use soil moisture sensors to support the state’s fire management and prevention efforts. JPL also helped launch in California pollution monitoring satellites last year and partners with the state to monitor the drought.
Governor Newsom also visited with small business owners Kevin Hockin and Rosanna Kvernmo. They launched Side Pie as a pop-up pizza in the middle of the pandemic. After it went viral, they opened a brick-and-mortar store in Altadena in 2021. While at Disneyland with their daughter, they learned that they had lost their restaurant and that their home had suffered extensive damage due to to smoke. Kevin and Rosanna plan to rebuild when it is safe to do so.