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Trump, Donald

Wildfires Rage Across the US West Coast, Killing 15 and Forcing 500,000 to Evacuate

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The US west coast is witnessing unprecedented wildfires, forcing over 500,000 people to evacuate, destroying hundreds of homes, and claiming 15 lives. The situation is exacerbating the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and affecting presidential campaigns ahead of the 2020 election. President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden are paying respects to the victims of the 9/11 attacks as the nation observes the solemn anniversary. Meanwhile, the coronavirus continues to spread, with 914 new deaths and 37,786 new cases reported in the US yesterday, taking the total number of cases to 6,397,227 with 191,789 deaths nationally.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 500,000 people have been forced to evacuate in Oregon due to wildfires, with 10% of the state's population displaced.
  • At least 600 homes have been destroyed in the fires, with entire mobile home parks reduced to ash in Phoenix and Talent, Oregon.
  • The fires have burnt over 900,000 acres, with unprecedented fire conditions stretching firefighting resources thin in three states.
  • President Donald Trump will attend a ceremony at the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to mark the 9/11 anniversary.
  • Democratic candidate Joe Biden will mark the day in New York, then travel to Pennsylvania in the afternoon.
  • Microsoft has warned that Russian hackers are targeting US political campaigns ahead of the election.
  • The Republican 'skinny' relief bill failed to pass in the Senate, with President Trump acknowledging he played down the dangers of the coronavirus to avoid causing a panic.

Statistics:

  • 914 new coronavirus deaths reported in the US yesterday.
  • 37,786 new coronavirus cases reported in the US yesterday.
  • 6,397,227 total coronavirus cases in the US as of yesterday.
  • 191,789 total coronavirus deaths in the US as of yesterday.
  • Over 900,000 acres burnt by wildfires in three states.
  • 600 homes destroyed in the fires, with entire mobile home parks reduced to ash in Phoenix and Talent, Oregon.
  • 500,000 people evacuated in Oregon due to wildfires.

Sources:

  • The Guardian
  • Associated Press
  • Reuters
  • Gene J Puskar/AP
  • Carlos Barría/Reuters
  • Kathryn Elsesser/AFP/Getty Images
  • Gillian Flaccus/AP

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