President Joe Biden canceled his Italy trip to focus on federal efforts as wildfires devastate Los Angeles, claiming lives, destroying thousands of structures, and causing billions in damages.
President Joe Biden has called off a planned trip to Italy due to the ongoing fires in Los Angeles, the White House announced on Wednesday.
"After returning this evening from Los Angeles, where earlier today he had met with police, fire and emergency personnel fighting the historic fires raging in the area and approved a major disaster declaration for California, President Biden made the decision to cancel his upcoming trip to Italy to remain focused on directing the full federal response in the days ahead. Additional details to follow," said spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre in a statement.
Intense wildfires, driven by strong windstorms and extremely dry conditions, swept through areas of northern and northwestern Los Angeles on Wednesday, resulting in five fatalities and destroying over 1,000 homes, businesses, and other structures.
The Palisades Fire, the largest so far, began Tuesday morning at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time (18:30 GMT). It has already scorched nearly 16,000 acres, rapidly advancing through the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood near the coastline.
According to AccuWeather, a weather forecasting company, the damage caused by the fires is estimated at $52 to $57 billion.
“This is a terrible disaster. We’re just starting to get a clear look at the magnitude of the destruction and loss," said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter.
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Wildfires, which scientists believe are becoming more frequent due to climate change, were a major driver of air pollution last year, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in a report released on Friday.
Emergency areas have been officially designated in Spain after 113 wildfires destroyed more than 400,000 hectares this summer. Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska made the announcement on Wednesday.
A Portuguese firefighter was severely injured on Thursday after flames suddenly engulfed his fire engine during a wildfire sweeping through central and northern Portugal.
Spain has deployed hundreds more troops to fight 20 major wildfires as extreme heat fuels one of the worst fire seasons in southern Europe in two decades.
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