Dangerously strong winds last night forced US President Joe Biden to cancel his engagement in California, where he was expected to announce the creation of two new national monuments in honor of Native American tribes, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
The wind began to gain strength in Southern California, with forecasters warning of "life-threatening, destructive" gusts. The president was in his limousine and preparing to leave Los Angeles when the event was canceled. The White House initially said Biden would speak in Los Angeles, but later announced that the event would be rescheduled for next week at the White House, when other people would be able to attend.
Meanwhile, firefighters are battling blazes on hillsides around Los Angeles. Forecasters have warned that gusty winds could persist for days, knocking down trees, causing dangerous turbulence and creating an extreme risk of wildfires in areas that have not seen significant rainfall in months.
The National Weather Service warned of downed power lines and overturned large trucks, trailers and RVs. Strong offshore wind gusts will also cause hazardous conditions along the coast of Orange and Los Angeles counties, including Catalina Island, and there could be potential delays and turbulence at local airports.
A wildfire has devastated a prestigious area of Los Angeles, forcing people to flee their homes after an evacuation order was issued for 30,000 residents. At least 510 hectares (1,200 acres) of land in the Pacific Palisades area between Santa Monica and Malibu have burned, officials said, according to Reuters.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has declared a state of emergency and ordered city officials to prepare for downed power lines and trees that could cause power outages.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said many structures had already been destroyed by the wildfire that has engulfed the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. The fire department did not give an exact number.