Wildfires in US intensified, prompting Biden to cancel his visit to Italy due to disaster
Joe Biden, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
Massive wildfires continue to rage in the suburbs of Los Angeles. Due to the emergency, US President Joe Biden has canceled his visit to Italy, according to Reuters and CNN.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, as of Wednesday evening, January 8, the wildfire has burned at least 50 acres near the Hollywood Hills.
The fire has specifically destroyed part of Runyon Canyon, a popular hiking and dog-walking spot for residents.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has mobilized over 7,500 firefighters and emergency service personnel to protect the population.
Newsom also issued an executive order providing measures to support those affected by the fires.
"We are putting all available resources behind fighting these wildfires, including leveraging local and federal assets. California has thousands of boots on the ground working to combat these fires," he said.
Biden's visit to Italy canceled
Due to the large-scale wildfires, US President Joe Biden has canceled his planned trip to Italy.
Biden was scheduled to visit Italy from January 9 to 12 and meet with Pope Francis, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The White House stated that after returning from Los Angeles on Wednesday evening, where Biden met with police officers, firefighters, and emergency service personnel, the president decided to cancel his upcoming trip to Italy to focus on leading the full federal response in the coming days.
Massive wildfires rage across California
A massive wildfire erupted recently in the suburbs of Los Angeles, named the Palisades Fire, consuming over 1,182 hectares of land between Santa Monica and Malibu. Strong winds and dry weather have contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze.
On January 8, a state of emergency was declared in California. Three fire hotspots are raging in the vicinity of the city, including the elite Pacific Palisades area, popular among Hollywood celebrities.
By Wednesday, the wildfires had reached the Hollywood Hills, following five other fires in the region that claimed at least five lives, destroyed hundreds of homes, and pushed firefighting resources and water supplies to their limits.
