US President Joe Biden on Monday (local time) expressed his deep condolences following the loss of 24 lives in the raging wildfires that had wreaked havoc in southern California, particularly in the city of Los Angeles.
According to a statement, President Biden said, “Our hearts ache for the 24 innocent souls we have lost in the wildfires across Los Angeles. Jill (Biden) and I pray for them and their loved ones.”
He acknowledged the ongoing devastation caused by the wildfires there and noted that he has been regularly briefed on efforts to suppress the fires and directed his team to respond quickly to any requests for additional federal firefighting assistance.
“We are deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the unprecedented ongoing wildfires across Southern California. I am being frequently briefed on intensive efforts to suppress the wildfires across Los Angeles and have directed our team to respond promptly to any request for additional federal firefighting assistance. At my direction, hundreds of federal personnel and unique federal aerial and ground support has been sent to California to support the firefighting efforts and help communities in need,” the statement read.
Biden further reaffirmed that his administration remains focused on supporting survivors and using all available resources to aid in the firefighting efforts, especially as winds are expected to increase.
“My Administration remains laser-focused on helping survivors and we will continue to use every tool available to support the urgent firefight as the winds are projected to increase,” he said
