The Andringitra Massif, which forms also the Andringitra National Park, is a granite massif that is approximately 64 km (40 mi) long, and it is located in the Haute Matsiatra Region in the central part of the Republic of Madagascar.

As the massif stretches, the width varies, especially in the center where it gets up to the maximum of 10 km (6 mi) in width.

Being part of a relatively geologically-stable area, on solid precambrian ground, the Andringitra Massif is considered to be formed by a sudden volcanic event.

With sharp cliffs and rises, as well as several volcanic formations, the area was declared as a national park in 1999 which nowadays is managed by the Madagascar National Parks Association.

Due to the importance, it was adjoined with the Rainforests of the Atsinanana, which together were inscribed in 2007 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Covering an area of about 31,160 hectares (77,000 acres), the altitude is between 700 meters (2,300 feet) and 2,658 meters (8,720 feet) above the sea level.

Being somewhat known as a hiking destination, there are plenty of spectacular views in all directions, and the very well developed hiking trails and interesting local villages, it is not so known place for visitors, as there are around 3,000 ones per year.

Treated as one of the most biologically diverse places in Madagascar, there are certain endemic species, such as over 1,000 species of plants, 100 species of birds, and 55 species of frogs.

In addition, there are over 50 species of mammal, among which can be found 13 species of Madagascar’s symbol, the lemur.

Throughout the history, the massif played important role for the local Betsileo people who were hiding here from the plain during raids conducted by the Sakalava or the Merina.

Today, the local population that lives around Andringitra Massif usually grows rice, coffee, sugar cane, fruit trees, and they also practice cattle breeding.

Considering that there is a very long history from the locals here, the massif together with the national park most likely shall become one of the most visited places in the country, as it is booming with flora, fauna and cultural elements of Madagascar.

The U.S. government has sued Southern California Edison, accusing the Edison International (EIX.N) unit of negligence that caused the 2020 Bobcat Fire, which burned close to 180 square miles (466 sq km) in one of the largest wildfires ever in Los Angeles County.

In a complaint filed in Los Angeles federal court, the government said the fire began on Sept. 6, 2020 when a poorly maintained tree contacted power lines, igniting vegetation on a branch that then fell to the ground, spreading the fire.

SCE and Utility Tree Service, a contractor also named as a defendant, knew for “months” before the fire that the tree posed a danger but did nothing to address it, the complaint said.

The government is seeking to recoup more than $121 million, representing property and natural resources damages and costs to fight the fire, and double or triple damages for harm to timber, trees and underwood.

SCE said it would be inappropriate to discuss the case outside of court. “Our thoughts remain with the people who were affected by the Bobcat Fire, who lost homes and vehicles and were evacuated,” spokesman Reggie Kumar said.

Utility Tree Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Located in and around the San Gabriel Mountains and the Angeles National Forest, about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Los Angeles, the Bobcat Fire and was among the larger fires in California’s record-setting 2020 wildfire season.

It burned more than 114,577 acres (46,368 hectares), destroying 171 structures and 178 vehicles and before being contained after about 2-1/2 months.

The government said many campgrounds and more than 100 miles of trails remain closed to the public.

It is common for utilities to be sued over wildfire damage, though many lawsuits are filed privately.

Pacific Gas & Electric (PCG.N) filed for bankruptcy protection in 2019 after being blamed for a series of northern California wildfires in 2017 and 2018.

Hawaiian Electric (HE.N), meanwhile, now faces multiple lawsuits over last month’s Maui wildfires.

The case is U.S. v Southern California Edison Co et al, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, No. 23-07254.

President Joe Biden traveled to Florida on Saturday to survey the destruction from Hurricane Idalia and comfort victims of the storm, but he did not meet Governor Ron DeSantis, a potential presidential rival, who opted not to come.

Biden, who praised DeSantis during the visit, said he was not disappointed by the governor’s absence and said DeSantis had helped plan the trip.

DeSantis’ spokesperson said on Friday the governor had no plans to meet Biden, saying “the security preparations alone that would go in to setting up such a meeting would shut down ongoing recovery efforts.”

Biden took an aerial tour and received a briefing from local officials and first responders in Live Oak, a town that was hit hard by the storm. He saw houses with fallen trees on them and said no one “intelligent” could doubt that climate change was happening.

But politics hung over his trip. The president, who has spoken to DeSantis multiple times this week, had said on Friday they would meet in person. The decision by the governor caught the White House off guard.

“No, I’m not disappointed. He may have had other reasons… But he did help us plan this. He sat with FEMA and decided where we should go, where would be the least disruption,” Biden told reporters, while standing in front of a damaged house.

Biden said he was pleased that Senator Rick Scott, a Republican former governor of Florida, had come despite their disagreements on many issues. Scott, a supporter of former President Donald Trump, wore a hat that said “Navy” on the front and “45” on the back. Trump was the 45th U.S. president.

DeSantis, 44, spent the day about 50 miles (80 km) south, touring small communities along Florida’s Gulf Coast, according to his official schedule.

Responding to an earlier question on Saturday on what had happened to the meeting, Biden had told reporters: “I don’t know. He’s not going to be there.”

DeSantis is running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination to oust Biden from the White House, but trails Trump in opinion polls. Biden, 80, is running for re-election.

Biden and DeSantis have spoken regularly this week about the storm, which pummeled Florida’s Big Bend region with Category 3 winds of nearly 125 mph (200 kph). On Wednesday, the president said politics had not crept into their conversations.