UPDATE, 5:01 PM: The President of the United States is spend an unexpected night in Los Angeles due to the powerful winds and wildfires pounding the county.
Originally set to depart LA around 2:15 pm this afternoon after designating two national monuments, Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden will now try to fly out of town at 2 pm on Wednesday, according to the White House.
As the already fierce winds are picking up, a decision was made that it was “not advisable” to move the First Couple to Air Force 1 at LAX and attempt to take off into strong turbulence. Also, having AF1 taking off would have increased the air restrictions in the region for presidential security – a move that could have hampered helicopters and aircraft from working on fighting the fires before it gets too dark.
Tomorrow, the Bidens are scheduled to travel via Marine One to LAX, winds permitting.
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The lack of movement by the outgoing incumbent comes after Biden cancelled his trip earlier today to the Coachella Valley to sign proclamations creating the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument, which will see 848,000 acres of lands in California protected from drilling and more. The stay in place announcement also comes less than an hour after the President confirmed federal assistance in response to the fires ravaging over 1200 acres in Pacific Palisades, where mandatory evacuations are in effect.
Gov Gavin Newsom revealed during a press conference with the LAFD and others that he had been texting with Biden and POTUS had assured him on aid was on the way. “The President has been briefed on the wildfires in Los Angeles and at his direction his team is in contact with state and local officials to offer any federal assistance as needed,” the White House said in the past half hour. “In response to the Governor’s request, FEMA has just approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support the impacted community and help reimburse California for firefighting costs.”
With winds blowing west and increasing in velocity as night falls, Malibu now looks to be vulnerable to fires — just weeks after the Franklin fire hit the beachfront neighborhood. To that, LA has been in a state of tactical alert since late this morning.
PREVIOUSLY, 12:24 PM Wildfires and powerful winds whipping around Los Angeles have forced President Joe Biden to cancel his trip to nearby Joshua Tree National Park to proclaim a new national monument.
“Due to weather issues, the President will not travel to Thermal, CA,” the White House just announced “The previously scheduled remarks will be delivered in Los Angeles, CA. Additional details to follow.”
Biden’s speech has now been shuttered, at least for the time being, I’m told. (Update 12:45 p.m.: White House says: “Today’s event will be rescheduled for next week at the White House so that key stakeholders can attend.”)
Having flown into LAX last night on what is likely his last visit to the region as POTUS, Biden stayed on the west side of town Monday. Up until just over an hour ago, it looked like the President would be making his trip to establish a Chuckwalla National Monument south of Joshua Tree National Park.
According to the White House pool report: “Earlier, pool saw POTUS enter the Beast at the RON at 10.58am. Pool then saw POTUS exit the Beast about 10 minutes later and reenter RON”
Fast moving fires, low humidity, dry vegetation and hard wind gusts have led to fast moving fires throughout LA. Smoke from a brush fire is engulfing Pacific Palisades, and another fire broke out in West Hollywood. Evacuation orders are already being issued in the Palisades, says the LAFD.
To make things worse, the Santa Ana winds are expected to pick up considerably later today and into the night reaching 80-100mph, putting most of Southern California at risk.
Joined by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Biden was to travel to sign proclamations creating the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument, which will protect 848,000 acres of lands in California.
The President and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden were set to leave LA this evening. Also, with Air Force One at LAX, there are additional flight restrictions in the area as super scoopers and others need to take to the sky to attack the fires. The President is scheduled to deliver one of the eulogies at former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral in Washington DC on January 9.
Ted Johnson contributed to this report.
The post Biden Stuck In LA Overnight Due To Severe Winds and Wildfires; POTUS Cancelled Coachella Valley Visit Earlier Tuesday – Update appeared first on Deadline.
