Washington: US President Joe Biden on Friday likened Los Angeles to a “war zone” as several large wildfires ravaged neighborhoods around the city.
Biden added that there was “clear evidence” of looting during the disaster, while also criticizing “demagogues” for spreading widespread misinformation about the deadly fires.
“It reminded me more of a war scene, where you have some targets that have been bombed,” Biden said while being briefed on the fire in the Oval Office of the White House.
“It’s almost like a battle scene.”
Authorities have imposed a nighttime curfew in parts of Los Angeles amid fears of looting, and Biden said the government was providing security from the military to the National Guard.
“There is clear evidence that looting is taking place. There is clear evidence that people are going into communities of survivors … and looting,” Biden said.
Biden also took a swipe at incoming President Donald Trump, who has spread misinformation over the flames on social media.
“You’re going to have a lot of demagogues out there trying to take advantage of that,” Biden said of the fire. As the massive wildfires engulfed entire neighborhoods and displaced thousands of people, California National Guard soldiers took to the streets to control the chaos, officials said. are ready In ruins Friday, more than 10,000 structures were destroyed, according to the state fire service.
“I lost everything. My house burned down and I lost everything,” said Hester Calwell, who arrived at a shelter after fleeing her Altadena home.
Firefighters were battling multiple blazes with the help of water-dropping helicopters, thanks to a temporary lull in the winds, as the Los Angeles County medical examiner announced the death toll had risen to 10.
With reports of looting, Los Angeles County ordered a nighttime curfew, and the state’s National Guard was on hand to patrol affected areas.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said service members were part of thousands of state personnel deployments.
“We are putting everything in our power — including our National Guard service members — to protect communities in the coming days,” he said.
“And to those who want to take advantage of evacuated communities, let me be clear: Looting will not be tolerated.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said his officers were patrolling evacuation zones and would arrest anyone who wasn’t supposed to be there.
The state fire agency said the Los Angeles fire has so far burned more than 35,000 acres (14,160 hectares).