California Governor Declares Emergency As Raging Wildfire Kills 5, Biden Cancels Foreign Visit

Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency for California's Pacific Palisades due to a massive wildfire.

California Governor declared a state of emergency as wildfire continued to ravage the region.

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California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for the Pacific Palisades after a massive wildfire erupted on Tuesday, escalating quickly gutting over 2,900 acres and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. 

Under the emergency declaration, which was secured through approval from the Federal Emergency Management Assistance Grant, the local, state, and tribal agencies responding to the fire will be allowed to apply for 75 per cent reimbursement of their eligible fire suppression costs, stated a release by the Governor, reported CBS News. 

President Joe Biden also released a statement late Tuesday noting he was being frequently briefed on the state of the blaze. 

"My team and I are in touch with state and local officials, and I have offered any federal assistance that is needed to help suppress the terrible Pacific Palisades fire," said Biden's statement, in part. "Earlier tonight, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support areas that are impacted and help reimburse the state of California for the immediate firefighting costs. My Administration will do everything it can to support the response," the statement added. 

Another major wildfire erupted in Los Angeles later Tuesday forcing thousands more evacuations. 

At least five people were killed in the blaze L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna told CNN affiliate KABC while tens of thousands of people including Hollywood A-listers were under an evacuation order. 

The five bodies were found in three structures in Altadena where the Eaton fire erupted Tuesday night, reported LA Times. 

Over 2,000 homes, businesses, and other buildings have been damaged or destroyed in the fires, making it one of the most destructive firestorms to hit the region. 

In the wake of the wildfires, Biden cancelled his visit to Italy, which comes during the last days of his presidency, to monitor the situation and focus on directing a full federal response, said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a statement.