LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is throwing its support Wednesday behind an Assembly bill calling for a pause in mortgage payments for wildfire victims experiencing financial hardship.

Assembly Bill 238, introduced by Assemblyman John Harabedian, D-Pasadena, would allow borrowers impacted by the January wildfires to request deferral of monthly mortgage payments for up to 360 days.

During that period, borrowers would not be assessed late fees, penalties or additional interest, and foreclosure proceedings would be prohibited.

County Supervisor Kathryn Barger wrote in her motion that the January wildfires displaced thousands of residents, and destroyed more than 18,000 homes and structures.

"The scale of the devastation has left families and businesses across the county facing an uncertain financial future," Barger's motion read. "As communities move toward recovery and rebuilding, financial relief is needed to support residents who lost their homes or their livelihoods."