Trump Approves Emergency Declaration in California to Help Fight Wildfires As the wildfires continue to get worse in Southern California, President Trump has approved an emergency declaration that orders Homeland Security and FEMA to help response efforts. "This action will help alleviate the hardship and suffering that the emergency may inflict on the local population, and provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures…" So far, the wildfires have claimed over 150,000 acres across four counties. The worst fires remain in Ventura County, where 130,000 acres have burned.