California wildfires spread out of control

The largest fire broke out in the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood, followed by another major fire that burned more than 1,000 acres in Eaton Canyon, northeast of Pasadena, California, followed by two fires in the San Fernando Valley suburbs, NBC News reported.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as nearly 30,000 people were evacuated from the area affected by the fire. At least 220,000 homes and businesses lost power. Firefighters worked hard to put out the fire, but experts said dry weather and a Santa Ana monsoon with gusts of up to 100 miles per hour had made the fire worse. Reuters reported several injuries, including one firefighter. Firefighters said their immediate priority was to evacuate and assist residents, admitting they could not contain the fire in the short term.

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the approval of a plan to provide financial assistance to affected areas. US President Joe Biden said he had offered to provide all necessary federal assistance to fight the fires.