Biden Declares 'Disaster Zone' in L.A., Large WildfireCancellation of Visit to Italy

U.S. President Joe Biden declared California a major disaster zone and ordered federal recovery aid on the 8th local time, as the state is expanding damage from large wildfires, the White House said.

President Biden visited the Santa Monica Fire Department to be briefed on wildfire suppression and damage, and after managing the situation, including approving disaster aid payments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, he returned to Washington, D.C.

Due to the spread of wildfire damage, President Biden also canceled his trip to Italy scheduled for the 9th.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement that President Biden has decided to cancel his trip to Italy to focus on directing the all-out response at the federal level.

During his visit, which will be his last in office, Biden was to meet with Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Jorja Meloni and also announce plans for support for the Rome-based World Food Organization.