LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush issued a major disaster declaration on Tuesday for Southern California in the wake of several wildfires ravaging the area.

    The declaration cleared the way for making federal funding available for residents who lost their homes or suffered other losses in the blazes.

    "Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster," White House press secretary Dana Perino said.

    "Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and Santa Barbara counties," she said.

    According to Perino, other Southern California counties may be available for assistance after damage assessments are completed.     

    California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday urged Bush to make the disaster declaration. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, both Democrats from California, and 39 members of the state's congressional delegation sent Bush a letter on Tuesday, also urging him to make the declaration.

    In their letter, the lawmakers wrote that a disaster declaration "will provide the essential federal resources needed not only to save the lives, homes and livelihoods of Californians, but also to help people recover and rebuild when these fires are finally extinguished."

    Schwarzenegger had earlier declared a state of emergency for all of the affected counties, along with Santa Barbara County.

    Residents and business owners who sustained losses in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and Santa Barbara counties will begin applying for federal assistance Wednesday.