Kamala Harris says trip to Germany: California is on fire!

Kamala Harris says trip to Germany: California is on fire!

The trip to Germany planned for January 17, 2025 by US Vice President Kamala Harris was canceled. This was confirmed by the White House last Friday. The reason for this decision is the devastating forest fires in California, which are currently in suspense. Harris will remain in the United States to support auxiliary and coordination measures for the areas affected by the fires.

Originally, Harris was supposed to visit the Air Base Spangdahlem in Rhineland-Palatinate to talk to US soldiers and to emphasize the German-American partnership. In addition to Spangdahlem, visits were also intended at US military base in Singapore and Bahrain. The cancellation is also a loss, since this visit would have been Harri's last trip abroad as a vice president before she and Joe Biden will leave the White House on January 20. On this day, Donald Trump again appears as US President.

The situation in California

The decision to cancel your trip underlines the serious situation in California, which has often been affected by natural disasters in recent years. Harris' main focus is now on the contain of the effects of the forest fires on people, nature and infrastructure. The fires around Los Angeles, which are described as "one of the most destructive natural disasters" in city history, have already devastated an area of ​​around 116 square kilometers.

In the Pacific Palisades district, around 6,900 hectares burned, and the foci there and in Altadena are currently "contaminated with zero percent". The fire brigade has mobilized over 7,500 emergency services to counteract the flames, while the US weather service warns of the "significant spread" of the fires.

A total of at least five fatalities have been registered so far, including a 66-year-old man who died in Altadena because he resisted the evacuation. In addition, around 20 people were arrested in endangered areas. Experts estimated the damage by the fires at around $ 57 billion (55 billion euros). Over 100,000 people had to leave their houses, including numerous celebrities, and around 2,000 buildings, including about 1,000 in Pacific Palisades, have already been destroyed.

The situation is also tightened by ongoing drought and the strong Santa-Ana winds at speeds over 100 km/h. It has hardly rained in Southern California for at least eight months, which dried out the vegetation and fueled the fires.

Vice President Harris now faces the challenge of coordinating the aid measures on site and counteracting the immense effects of the natural disaster on the population and the infrastructure. Her cancellation of the trip to Germany shows how serious the situation in your home country is and is perceived by the citizens as a clear expression of responsibility and care.