President Biden called Monday for urgent congressional action on the climate crisis during a tour of western states ravaged by wildfires. Biden visited the National Interagency Fire Center in Idaho before traveling on to Northern California, where he joined Governor Gavin Newsom for an aerial tour of damage from the Caldor Fire. Afterward, Biden called on Congress to pass his $3.5 trillion spending plan, which includes money for a Civilian Climate Corps and other measures to combat the climate crisis.

President Joe Biden: “These fires are blinking code red for our nation. … But we can’t ignore the reality that these wildfires are being supercharged by climate change.”

Climate justice groups seized on Biden’s remarks, demanding the White House declare a climate emergency.

Later on Monday, President Biden joined a campaign rally for Governor Newsom, who faces a right-wing recall effort to remove him from office. Polls in the recall election close this evening at 8 p.m. California time.