Reid the final stretch, biden, harris and penc in key swing states, and what the president said about a vaccine by election day. Large labor day gatherings, thousands celebrate the holiday, many ignoring social distancing as america sees the most air travel since the start of the pandemic. Putins fiercest critic, who was poisoned, is out of a coma tonight, the latest on his condition. And finally, acts of kindness from a frequent flier making people smile when they need it most. This is the cbs evening news with norah odonnell. Reporting from the nations capitol. Reid good evening to our viewers in the west, and thank you for joining us. Norah is off tonight. Im chip reid. Were going to begin tonight with those fires raging out of control in california. Firefighters are scrambling to contain at least two dozen large fires in the middle of a historic heat wave. More than two million acres have burned so far this year, making it the worst on record in california, and thats before the usual peak of the season. Hot dry gusts are blowing tonight, whipping up blowtorch conditions. Over the weekend more than 200 people had to be air lifted as a fire ripped through this campground. And just take a look at this tourist town tonight. Big creek, nearly wiped out by the flames. And on this labor day, the 2020 president ial campaign is in full swing. A new cbs news Battleground Tracker poll shows joe biden leading the president in a National Poll of likely voters. The president today also suggested a Coronavirus Vaccine could be ready by election day despite several of his own Top Health Officials saying that is unlikely. Meanwhile the country is bracing for a potential surge of new covid cases after Mass Gatherings over the weekend. We have a lot of news to get to with teams covering it all. But we want to begin tonight with those devastating wildfires. Cbs Jonathan Vigliotti leads us off from pine ridge, california. Jonathan. Reporter chip, this fire has become so destructible that we have been pushed back to this staging area along with backup fire teams and for good reason. We traveled through much of this area earlier today and saw the fire and the destruction firsthand. Complete and utter devastation. Tter devastation. The central at least half california town of big creek obliterated. This video shows the nightmare as it unfolded, flames engulfing everything in sight, burning home after home in what was an idyllic community. That was before. And this is after. Ground zero where the creek fire got its name, and where today several neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble and ash. First responders are only now reaching this town. They still dont know if everyone made it out. There may be little hope for those who did not. These harrowing images have emerged from those who escaped as they drove through roaring flames. Fire also trapping hundreds at a nearby campground. Some, like dennis drake, dove into the lake. In my mind im going okay, are we going to die from the from t from drowning . Reporter he and others were finally airlifted to safety. This satellite view shows how dramatically and incredibly the creek fire exploded in size. Californias fire season already seven times larger than normal, two million acres have already burned. To put that in perspective, that is more than ten times the size of new york city. The state also suffering unrelenting heat, 100 degrees in downtown San Francisco on sunday and in woodland hills, 121 degrees, the hottest temperature ever recorded in los angeles county. 80 miles east of l. A. This fire ictee rced thousands torang d. Aac uaev gender reveal. Back in californias sierra, an almost eerie calm as the forest still burns. The town smolders and little is left behind. G tibungrnthree dozen fires are couinof tt more wind. Wo cut o for them. Reid thank you, jonathan. Now lets get more from cbs lonnie quinn. Lonnie, any relief in sight for the west . Well, i will say this much, chip, there will be relief from the recordsetting heat but it will be tougher to fight the fires. I will explain that. Recordsetting heat, every number a record, 120 today in palm springs, but tomorrow the winds kick in and they will be gusting 40, maybe 50 miles an hour. The firefighters will have a tougher time, the heat comes down, but the wind kicks in. On the opposite side of the coin were talking by the time you get to wednesday some record setting lows out there. Denver, colorado, on the weekend, over the weekend set a record at 101. By the time we get to wednesday denver you will probably set a record at 29. Some folks will be colder than that, 18 for casper. But factor in some moisture and we are talking snow. Snow this time of the year for denver, i think it would be a little bit of snow right in denver but the mountains outside of denver, mountains outside of cheyenne, a potential for a foot, maybe even a foot and a half. The weather story is not over there, as crazy as that sound. Now to the tropics. Weve got Tropical Storm renee, paulette, renee just formed, basically moments ago. We are on recordsetting pace. The granddaddy Hurricane Season of them all was 2005, this storm, the arsenal has formed 11 days earlier than it did in 2005. Both storms pushing to the north west as of right now, not posing a huge risk to the u. S. But were just Getting Started with the peak of Hurricane Season. There will be more to come, chip. Reid crazy weather. Thank you, lonnie. Labor day is the traditional start of the Campaign Season and with just 57 days to go before election day President Trump is blasting rival joe biden in personal terms, even as the white house braces for the release of former trump lawyer Michael Cohens new tellall book. Cbs ben tracy begins our Campaign Coverage tonight at the white house. Ben . Reporter chip, the president is facing new accusations tonight from his former personal attorney while also still denying that he called american war dead losers and suckers and he claims there may be an october surprise, a vaccine by election day. During a contentious News Conference on the front steps of the white house. You are going to have to take that off, please. How many feet are you away . Reporter President Trump criticized a reporter for wearing a mask and then went after joe biden. Biden is a stupid person, you know that. You are not going to write it. Reporter the president predicted a Coronavirus Vaccine could arrive just in time for election day, even though those work on the governments vaccine efforts have said that is unlikely. Were going to have a vaccine very soon, maybe even before a very special date, you know what date im talking about. Reporter the president is facing new accuationss fri h former personal attorney michael cohen. In a new tellall book distributed by simon and schuster, a division of viacomcbs, cohen writes that President Trump admires Vladimir Putins ability to take over an entire nation and run it like it was his personal company. Cohen also claims mr. Trump said i will never get the hispanic vote. Like the blacks theyre too stupid to vote for trump, theyre not my people. Cohen warns trump will do anything to win in november. I believe that includes manipulating the ballots. I beeve th he wod eveno so far as to start a war in order to prevent himself from being removed from office. Reporter the white house calls cohen a disgraced felon with no credibility. Ben tracy, cbs news, the white house. Reporter im ed okeefe in washington. On this labor day joe biden met with Labor Union Members inrg t fr laboras ever had in the white house. Reporter after the meeting he asked if he would take a Coronavirus Vaccine if one becomes available this year. I would want to see what the scientists said. If i could get a vaccine tomorrow, i would do it. If it cost me the election i would do it. Costeed a vaccine, and we need it now. Reporter his running mate Kamala Harris said sunday she wouldnt just trump President Trumps word on a vaccine. I will not take his word for it, he wants us to inject bleach. Reporter at the white house the president said his opponents should apologize for raising doubts about a vaccine. And its so dangerous for our country what they say, but the vaccine will be very safe and very effective. Reporter but a new cbs news Battleground Tracker poll finds skepticism about a vaccine is on the rise. Nearly two thirds ofers vthis t was probably rushed without enough testing rather than a Scientific Achievement that happened quickly. Campaigning in wisconsin today, harris met with tilofkea sconsit victim jacob blake. They are an incredible family. Reporter todays been the busiest day of inperson campaigning so far for the democratic ticket. Later this week biden hes to michigan and back to pennsylvania while harris heads to florida. All three battleground states were won by President Trump back in 2016. Chip . Reid thanks, ed. Tonight the city of portland is on edge as supporters of President Trump plan a labor day demonstration after more than 100 consecutive days of black lives matter protests. It all comes after a weekend marked by more violence and clashes between police and protestors. Heres cbs lilia luciano. Get back, we need room to work reporter concern is rising in portland tonight about the potential for violence for the reporter today a caravan of Trump Supporters gathered near the city as labor organizers and black lives matter protestors planned to continue their demonstration. Last night saw a handful of arrests and a smaller crowd following a weekend of clashes between police and protestors. Ars e tint rehehia , s thmaet ar. E rushing us. bleep there are hundreds of people. Reporter when Police Used Tear Gas to disperse the crowd. And some protestors threw fire bombs. Stop, drop and roll reporter setting one demonstrator on fire. This also comes after roester, new york, had a peaceful night following days of unrest and protests. Im out here because i want this to be a peaceful protest. I dont want the police to spray the young people. Reporter and in kenosha, wisconsin, jacob blake, now paralyzed from the waist down after being shot by Police Last Month sent a message of unity from his hospital bed. Please, im telling you, change your lives out there. We can stick together. Reporter police here in portland have been criticized for not intervening or declaring riots when counterprotestors were armed, coming to clash with protestors. Tonight its just wait and see who shows up. Chip. Reid thank you, lilia. Now to the coronavirus pandemic, the worldwide death toll topped 890,000 today. The u. S. Remains hardest hit with nearly 6. 3 million cases and almost 190,000 deaths. There are concerns tonight about new spikes in cases after thousands ignored warnings to avoid large gatherings over Labor Day Weekend. Heres cbs nikki battiste. Reporter americans are pushing covid regulations to the brink this labor day holiday. In california alone, hordes of people crammed beaches and parks looking for relief from record. This burning manthemed party in San Francisco drew more than 1,000 people and was quickly condemned by the mayor who called it absolutely reckless and selfish, adding, you are putting peoples lives at risk. It is a stark reminder of what reporting more new cases compared to two weeks ago. Hot spots like florida hit yet another grim milestone with coronavirusrelated deaths now topping 12,000. Former f. D. A. Commissioner Scott Gottlieb fears holiday gatherings will spark another more dangerous spike in new cases than the one after memorial day weekend. Were heading into the fall and winter when we would expect a respiratory pathogen like a coronavirus to start spreading more aggressively than it would in the summertime. Reporter this comes as many students return to school this week amid fears of the virus spreading and hope for a vaccine soon. The three leading drug makers now saying they will pledge to not release any vaccines that do not follow rs and in asbury park, new jersey, the beach was at capacity. It looks like no one on the beach is wearing a mask. Wed like them to wear it on the boardwalk, go in the restaurant or restrooms. When he had are sitting on the beach, we dont require that. Reporter the beachgoing season here usually ends today, but asbury park will continue to charge for beach access and keep lifeguards on until the end of september. Meanwhile, the t. S. A. Is reporting the highest number of air travelers this Labor Day Weekend since march. Chip . Reid thank you, nikki. Tonight a surge of new covid cases has made india the second hardest hit country in the world after the u. S. Meanwhile russia is making plans to begin mass vaccinations by the end of the year after its Covid Vaccine got a shot in the arm from an International Medical journal. Heres cbs charlie dagata. Reporter russia may have already claimed victory in the race for a vaccine when they launched theirs, named sputnik, weeks ago, but this week they started the hard part, actually testing it on tens of thousands. The initial trial only involves 76 people, but britains Lancet Medical Journal published Research Showing that the with no side effects. With covid surging to surpass more than 27 million cases globally, a vaccine cant come quickly enough. India just clocked a one day record of more than 90,000 cases, pushing total numbers past brazil, second only to the u. S. Europes struggling, too. A resurgence has seen, france hit its highest ever daily case figure and the death toll has climbed to more than 30,000. In spain new cases have now soared higher than during the first peak. It has become the first european country to record more than half a million covid infections. Each step to ease Strict Lockdown measures has only seen covid come roaring back. The u. K. Has been the hardest hit in europe. And they just recorded the highest oneday case total since may. It is especially surging among young people, the Health Secretary urging them to be vigilant about social distancing saying, dont kill your granny. Th sti mucre nse ahead on tonights cbs evening news. The health of Vladimir Putins poisoned rival takes a new turn, the latest on his condition, and tennis star Novac Djokovic pays a steep price for a dangerous oncourt outburst. Pays a steep price for a dangerous oncourt outburst. So, if you havent tried botox® for your chronic migraine,. Check with your doctor if botox® is right for you, and if samples are available. Effects of botox® may spread hours to weeks after injection. Causing serious symptoms. Alert your doctor right away, as difficulty swallowing,. Speaking, breathing, eye problems, or muscle weakness. Can be signs of a lifethreatening condition. Side effects may include allergic reactions. Neck and injection site pain. 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Thats human care. Saturpain happens. Aleve it. Aleve is proven stronger and longer on pain than tylenol. When pain happens, aleve it. All day strong. Reid an airport may be one of the last places youd expect to find random acts of kindness, but cbs kris van cleave has the story of a frequent flier who is lifting spirits and putting smiles on faces that are hidden behind masks. I want you to have a good day today. Reporter holding a handful of homemade happiness. I just want somebodys day to be better. Reporter Catherine Knight is hoping to change the world. Thank you. Youre welcome. Reporter one kind word at a time. My son wrote that one. Thank you so much. Reporter while tveling for work. Have a good day. Reporter she is handing out cards to strangers at the houston airport. I really just want to make the world a better place. Well, you did today. Reporter each with a message meant to shine a bit of light into these dark days. You have to wear a mask so you cant see somebodys smile or if they are sad, so if you watch somebodys eyes you can kind of determine, you know, maybe that person needs a little pick me up. Reporter perhaps now more than ever. I think people need to know that theyre still kindness in this world. Reporter but in the age of covid. Have a nice day. Thank you. Reporter you cant blame heidi botkin for being a little skeptical until the message sceptical thank you. I was super stressed out when i get the three kids by myself, it was a nice pick me up. Reporter this random act of Kindness Project started three years ago. Katherine and her son parker write uplifting messages for people they have never met and may never see again. More than 25,000 so far. Including one for pilot michael jones. It helps, you know . I think everybody is having their own personal struggles right now. Reporter at a time when we have to stay apart, a small reminder were all still in this together. Kris van cleave, cbs news, washington. Reid yes, we are. Thank you, chris. Well be right back. Well be right back. Your mission stand up to moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. And take. It. On. With rinvoq. Rinvoq a oncedaily pill. Can dramatically improve symptoms. Rinvoq helps tame pain, stiffness, swelling. And for some. Rinvoq can even significantly reduce ra fatigue. Thats rinvoq relief. With ra, your overactive immune system attacks your joints. Rinvoq regulates it to help stop the attack. Rinvoq can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. Serious infections and blood clots, sometimes fatal, have occurred. As have certain cancers, including lymphoma, and tears in the stomach or intestines, and changes in lab results. Your doctor should monitor your bloodwork. Tell yr beboouor a naannt whilect taking rinvo take on ra talk to your rheumatologist about rinvoq relief. Rinvoq. Make it your mission. If you cant afford your medicine, abbvie may be able to help. Who trust in our performance and comfortable, longlasting protection. Depend. The only thing stronger than us, is you. Reid on tomorrows cbs evening news, fighting Food Insecurity during the covid crisis. A father and son team up to feed families in need. If you cant watch live, dont forget to set your dvr so you can watch later. And thats tonights cbs evening news. Norah odonnell will be right back here tomorrow. Right now at 7 00. Breaking news pg e announcing moments ago it will cut off power for public safety. The areas impacted starting tonight. It will be miserable. Could be a huge hassle. More record high temperatures across the bay llcluding livermore