SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked Congress to approve nearly $40 billion in aid to help the Los Angeles area recover from January’s devastating wildfires. Newsom sent a letter Friday asking for support from lawmakers. Newsom vowed that the funding would be used to rebuild homes, infrastructure, business, schools, churches and health care facilities. More than 16,200 structures were destroyed as flames ripped through Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Pasadena and Altadena. The governor said the fires could become the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Estimates of the total economic loss have been estimated to top $250 billion. (Photo: AP)