California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has requested that Congress appropriate nearly $40 billion to support communities affected by the wildfires that devastated the Los Angeles region last month.

Recognizing that "the total impact on California's economy will take years to fully quantify," the governor asked for about $39.68 billion, in a letter sent late Friday to congressional leadership and to the chairs of each chamber’s appropriations committee.

Noting that "hurricane-force wind drive fires" destroyed 16,251 structures as more than 16,000 personnel battled the blazes, Newsom said that the requested funds would bolster "the immediate and long-term recovery work needed to rebuild lives and properties from this catastrophic event."

"As the state continues to evaluate and assess the damage while conductive active response and recovery efforts, we expect to identify additional funding........

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