The president of the United States, Donald Trumphe arrived at Los Angeles to travel the areas affected by the fires that have devastated the county since January 7. During his arrival, the president described the magnitude of the destruction with a shocking image: “It is as if a bomb had fallen.”
“A tremendous number of lives have been affected. Many properties have been affected, ”said the president after greeting Democratic governor Gavin Newsom. During his brief encounter with the media, he thanked the presence of the governor and He promised that measures will be taken to prevent fires from being repeated in the future.
Accompanied by the first lady, Melania Trumpthe president made this trip within the framework of his first official visit to areas affected by natural disasters.
One of the most outstanding points of the tour was its passage through the exclusive neighborhood of Pacific Palisadesconsidered the zero zone of the most destructive fires, which remain active although they have already been contained in 77 %.
According to official reports, these fires have devastated more than 9,300 hectares, destroying thousands of structures and forcing the massive evacuation of residents.
In addition to his visit to the devastated areas, the president had planned to receive an informative session with the mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bassand other local officials. This tour of California It is part of a broader tour of areas affected by natural disasters in the country, which also included a previous stop in North Carolina.
Trump’s visit to California was marked by his encounter with the state governor, Gavin Newsoma Democrat with whom he has maintained a tense relationship in the past. Despite the criticisms that the president had directed against the state management of fires, both shaken hands and highlighted the importance of working together to face the crisis.
Newsom He stressed the need for federal support for reconstruction and recalled the support that California received during the pandemic: “We will need his support. We will need your help. You were there for us during the Covid-19 pandemic, I do not forget it, and I have all the expectations that we can work together to achieve a prompt recovery, ”said the official.
Trump, on the other hand, recognized the urgency of the situation and pointed out that his government was willing to collaborate. “We are looking to complete something, and the way of completing it is to work together with the state governor,” said the president.
The fires that hit the county have been classified as the most devastating in the history of the region. Since its inception, the January 7the fire caused the death of at least 28 peoplein addition to causing the destruction of a considerable number of structures and the mass evacuation of residents.
So far, it is estimated that fires have consumed more than 9,300 hectaresespecially affecting the neighborhood of Pacific Palisadesidentified as the zero zone of the disaster. In terms of material damage, reports vary: according to the agency EFEmore than 16,000 structures They have been destroyed.
In addition to human and material cost, fires have generated a severe environmental crisis, with a significant increase in air pollution and the displacement of entire communities. The authorities have confirmed that, although the fires have been contained in a 77%some foci are still active and require immediate attention from firefighters.
