As California faces devastating wildfires, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell assured that local officials in Los Angeles were well-prepared for the crisis, though they had not anticipated extreme weather conditions such as 100-mile-an-hour winds. With the death toll rising to 16, Criswell emphasized the ongoing danger in the area and called for the politicization of natural disasters to be avoided. The U.S. military is prepared to respond to the situation, and additional federal resources and recovery funds are being mobilized to combat the fires and support affected residents. Despite criticisms regarding the effectiveness of current firefighting efforts, Criswell affirmed that firefighters are doing everything they can. The FEMA administrator also warned that recovery from the fires will be complex and costly, potentially amounting to billions. The agency remains committed to providing the necessary support and resources to aid with the ongoing disaster response.