Biden pledges full federal aid for Los Angeles fire crisis
The President of the USA, Joe Biden, stated on Thursday that the fires around Los Angeles are the worst in the region's history and announced that the federal government will cover the costs of reconstruction entirely. Kamala Harris warned that not everyone can expect compensation.
The authorities of the city of Los Angeles have reported that three out of five major fires, including the largest one, the Palisades Fire, remain uncontrolled. Two others have started to be contained thanks to a weakening of the overnight gusty winds. However, on Thursday, another fire, named the Kenneth Fire, emerged in the south of the county, prompting another evacuation of residents. So far, evacuation orders have been issued to approximately 180,000 people.
This is the most widespread, devastating fire in California's history, said Biden during a meeting with administration officials at the White House on the fires surrounding Los Angeles.
The President promised that the federal government will cover 100% of the reconstruction costs and the response to the fires for 180 days. He also appealed to Congress to approve additional funds for this purpose.
Insurers have cancelled policies
Biden also announced the deployment of 400 federal firefighters to California, over 30 helicopters, and planes, including eight military C-130 transport planes adapted for firefighting.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who hails from California, stated that the fires are "apocalyptic" and highlighted that many insurance companies have cancelled the policies of homes that have burned down in the fires. She added that addressing this issue is necessary.
Up to 5,000 buildings burned down
According to the head of the county fire department, Anthony Marrone, as a result of just one of the fires, the Eaton Fire west of Los Angeles, 4,000-5,000 buildings have burned down. So far, the death of six people has been confirmed, but authorities expect this number to rise. The direct causes of the fires have not yet been established.
President-elect Donald Trump once again sharply criticised the authorities of Los Angeles and California on Thursday, calling Governor Gavin Newsom a "scum" and urging him to "open the main water valve" in Northern California and "let the water flow into his dry, hungry, burning state instead of allowing it to drain into the Pacific Ocean."
