After Wildfires Delay, Biden Creates 2 National Monuments in California

The signing ceremony was initially planned for last week in California’s Coachella Valley but was canceled due to the wildfires in the Los Angeles region.

U.S. President Joe Biden signs proclamations creating the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in the East Room at the White House in Washington, on Jan. 14, 2025. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

President Joe Biden signed designations at the White House on Tuesday, establishing two new national monuments in California. 

The signing ceremony for Chuckwalla National Monument in Southern California and Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in Northern California was set to take place last week in California’s Coachella Valley. However, the subsequent fires still ravaging the Los Angeles region forced the event to be canceled and relocated.

The national monuments are designed to honor Native American tribes and ban mining and energy projects within the territories.

Secretary Deb Haaland, elected officials, and Native American tribe members joined Biden at the signing ceremony.