WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris has decided to cancel her final planned foreign trip due to the devastating wildfires wreaking havoc in California, her office announced on Thursday. This decision comes on the heels of President Joe Biden’s similar cancellation of a trip to Rome, where he intended to meet Pope Francis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Harris was set to visit Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany from January 13 to 17, aiming to maintain a global presence even after the upcoming presidential transition to Donald Trump on January 20. However, with wildfires ravaging her home state, the Vice President's focus has shifted to addressing the urgent crisis at hand.

Firefighters in the Los Angeles area are battling multiple wildfires, with the situation growing more dire. During a recent meeting at the White House, Harris highlighted that wildfires are a year-round concern that needs constant preparedness. “It doesn't matter what month of the year,” Harris stated. “We should be ready.”

Her own home in Brentwood lies within an evacuation zone, underscoring the personal impact of this natural disaster. The LA-area wildfires have already consumed at least 10,000 homes and buildings, prompting officials to urge residents to heed evacuation orders.

As new blazes ignite, like the fast-spreading Kenneth Fire that started in the San Fernando Valley, the authorities are bracing for conditions to worsen due to high winds. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated, “We are expecting this fire to rapidly spread due to high winds.”

The wildfires have escalated dramatically in recent days, with smoke visible even from space and multiple major fires currently active in the region. Over 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes as the flames march through some of Los Angeles' most vulnerable and prestigious areas, including the Hollywood Hills, impacting many high-profile residents.

This alarming trend is not just confined to California; scientists warn that as climate conditions shift, extreme weather patterns are likely to become more frequent. Monthly averages indicate Southern California has not experienced significant rainfall in months, creating perfect conditions for wildfires to flourish.

As the state grapples with this ongoing crisis, the implications for local communities, wildlife, and the environment remain dire. The situation is a stark reminder of the increasing frequency of devastating natural disasters attributed to climate change and serves as a call to action for increased preparedness and resilience strategies moving forward.