US President Joe Biden has promised financial support to the Los Angeles area from the federal government. He also promised to send in federal emergency workers.
President of the United States Joe Biden says the wildfires raging in Los Angeles are the most destructive wildfires in the history of the state of California.
At a press conference at the White House, Biden promised that the US federal government will cover all costs of wildfire cleanup for the first 180 days.
According to Biden, the governor of California Gavin Newsom had asked the federal government to help with the costs of the clearing work.
About 400 federal emergency workers and 30 fire engines and helicopters are being dispatched to Los Angeles, Biden added. In addition, the US Department of Defense says it will send eight aircraft and 500 rescue workers specialized in clearing wildfires.
Biden also said he would ask the US Congress for help in containing the wildfires in Los Angeles. He added that the legislators must take responsibility in handling the situation.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna says that National Guard troops will be sent to the areas ravaged by the fires to assist in the clearance work.
– We have approximately 400 National Guard members around the state ready to support us. We expect them to arrive as soon as tonight, Sheriff Luna told reporters local time on Thursday.
The wildfires that broke out this week in and around a major city in Southern California have spread with the winds across the suburbs.
In at least five fire areas, a total of almost 12,500 hectares of land has been burned and thousands of houses have been destroyed. At least six people have died, and hundreds of thousands of people are under evacuation orders or warnings, according to e.g. CNN.
On Thursday local time, two larger wildfires were still raging in the eastern and western parts of Los Angeles, which are not yet under the control of firefighters.
The spread of fire areas has slowed down on Thursday after the strong winds weakened for a while. However, according to forecasts, the wind will strengthen again on Friday local time, says Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin. He adds that there has been no rain in the drought-stricken area for about 260 days.
Almost 180,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate their homes and an additional 200,000 residents have been given an evacuation warning.
Sources: Reuters, AFP