Los Angeles still under fire; Joe Biden’s trip to Italy canceled.
According to the New York Times, as the massive fires continue to rage in Los Angeles, California, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre announced that US President Joe Biden canceled his planned trip to Italy on Thursday to focus on measures to stop the massive fires in California.
US officials announced that at least five people have died in several fires in the forests northeast of Los Angeles, California; while this number is likely to increase.
Los Angeles City Chief Engineer Asad al-Najjar told Al Arabiya that “we may be able to completely contain these fires by Sunday.”
Los Angeles County Police Chief Robert Luna said: “The death toll has increased from two to five and we may see more as the search operation progresses.” He added that the situation is still very unstable and that he prays that the death toll does not increase, but the reality may be different.
It is said that three fires are currently raging in different areas of Los Angeles, the largest of which is the fire that broke out in the wealthy Pacific Palisades neighborhood, which has burned more than 2,023 hectares of land in the area.
The area is located between the Santa Monica and Malibu areas and is home to many famous artists.
The Eaton Fire has also burned more than 809 hectares in the Altadena area, near Pasadena, and there are reports of two deaths in the area.
The Hearst Fire in the Sylmar area of ​​the San Fernando Valley has also burned more than 200 hectares of forests in the area.
Strong winds have greatly complicated fire control efforts and caused the flames to spread more quickly. Los Angeles Fire Chief Anthony Maron said at a press conference that more than 1,000 buildings have been destroyed by the fires so far.
The three fires are still spreading and containment and relief operations are ongoing.