Senator Rick Scott has sent a letter to Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Doug Burgum, calling for a review of federal disaster funding provided to California following recent wildfires. In his correspondence, Scott thanked Secretary Burgum for managing the nation’s land and wildlife and highlighted DOI’s role in responding to natural disasters, including the California wildfires earlier this year.
Scott raised concerns about how California and Los Angeles have managed federal resources intended for wildfire preparedness, suppression, and recovery over the past decade. He cited feedback from residents during his recent visit to the Palisades with media personality Spencer Pratt, who lost his home in the January 2025 fires. Scott said community members believe state and local authorities have mismanaged funds meant for wildfire prevention and response.
In addition to addressing DOI, Senator Scott has also reached out to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem seeking more information on federal support given to California by their agencies. He has requested a briefing on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Response Team’s investigation into causes of the wildfires. Scott is pursuing legislative efforts aimed at providing disaster tax relief for victims.
In his letter, Scott wrote: “I first want to commend you for the excellent work you have done with the United States Department of the Interior (DOI). From managing our nation’s natural resources to implementing a coordinated wildland fire program, the DOI’s mandate is broad. Under your and President Trump’s leadership, the DOI has excelled in every respect by putting common sense back into land and wildlife management.”
He continued: “Since you took over DOI, not only has your agency responded to catastrophic natural disasters in North Carolina, Texas, California, and New Mexico, but it has done so in a way that cuts through red tape and streamlines processes. You have swiftly deployed agency employees to rapidly mitigate the spread of wildfires and to support debris removal in communities tragically impacted by wildfires.”
Scott noted differences among states in how they manage disaster relief resources: “While relief is often quickly dispatched to states and affected areas as needed, state and local governments often vary in how they manage and request these resources. After visiting the Palisades recently with Mr. Spencer Pratt, a wildfire victim who lost his family’s home and has since been displaced, I witnessed the destruction that the January 2025 wildfires left in their path. I was heartbroken by the wreckage, and I became concerned as people within the Palisades community shared their perspective on how much Los Angeles and California have mismanaged funds that were supposed to be directed to preventing and responding to these wildfires.”
He added: “It has been reported that California in general, and Los Angeles, in particular, have received seemingly endless flows of federal funds from the DOI and other federal agencies for wildfire management, repression, and response. Yet these funds do not appear to have been used wisely. This has led many to conclude that California’s trouble with wildfire mitigation is not due to a lack of funding, but rather years of the state’s foot-dragging and red tape.”
Scott emphasized accountability: “Natural disasters happen, regardless of state or political party. And we should all rally around those who experience calamity through no fault of their own. But those in government also have a duty to responsibly manage funds that have been allocated to prevent and respond to these disasters. That does not appear to have been the case in California.”
He outlined his oversight efforts: “Accordingly, I have been conducting oversight of the contributing causes of the Palisades fire, the Eaton fire, and the adequacy of the response efforts. To advance that oversight…I write to request an update on funding that has been allocated to California in the past ten years…In particular…how much money did California receive from DOI in response?”
Scott concluded: “I know you share my concern that all taxpayer dollars are spent wisely…To assist you…I hope we can shed light on California’s waste…The people of California deserve it…” He requested answers by September 24.
