Emergency Declaration in California

US President Joe Biden has decided to cancel his visit to Italy due to wildfires in California that have claimed at least five lives. According to TASS, he has also declared a state of emergency in the state. This information was announced on Wednesday by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

ABC reports that at least five people have died due to historic wildfires raging in Los Angeles. According to California's firefighting service, the total area affected by the fires has surpassed 10,000 hectares and continues to grow. The fires have destroyed more than 1,000 buildings. More than 930,000 customers in Los Angeles County are without power. Weather forecasting firm AccuWeather estimates that damages and economic losses from the fires will amount to between $52 billion and $57 billion.