Extreme winds and unprecedented arid weather is rapidly spreading wildfires throughout southern California. By January, wildfire season is typically over, however, recent drought conditions have made the season yearlong. The areas most impacted by the wildfires include the Pacific Palisades neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Other neighborhoods that are also being affected include Eaton, Kenneth, Archer, Hurst, and Lidia. By far, however, the wildfires in the Pacific Palisades have consistently been the most destructive.
As the wildfires show no signs of stopping in the wake of continual wind and dry weather, thousands of people’s lives are being disrupted by mass evacuations and the destruction of homes. The rapid speed of the fires are forcing residents to evacuate their homes with little time to safely escape and gather their belongings. In many cases, winds carrying the flames have reached 100 miles per hour. Flames often spread too quickly for firefighters to put out, causing numerous homes to get damaged or completely destroyed. Unfortunately, the fire has even caused a few casualties as individuals have been unable to escape their homes. In an article highlighting the permanently detrimental consequences of the wildfires, NPR detailed how “The fires have decimated homes and other buildings, prompted hundreds of thousands of evacuations and killed at least 11 people.”
Conditions in the Palisades have left the LA fire department in desperation as they lack the amount of firefighters needed to prevent the spread of the wildfires. Residents who can’t find any firefighters in their area have taken matters into their own hands by attempting to hose the flames. According to the LA Times, “Seeing no firefighters on their street, the couple — along with other residents — grabbed garden hoses, buckets and shovels. They hosed down their roofs and those of their neighbors. They soaked the plants and front yards as embers set off small fires around the neighborhood.”
Air travel has temporarily been suspended in order to provide space for planes to pour water on the fires. Many specialized planes gather water from the Pacific Ocean to dump on the wildfires. Fertilizer becomes mixed with this ocean water to create a flame retardant that puts out fires even more effectively than just pure water.
Despite any attempts to hinder the wildfires, the Pacific Palisades community continues being devastated by the mass destruction of the flames. High-profile stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Milo Ventimiglia, Mel Gibson, and many others have all lost their homes. Numerous schools and businesses have been destroyed as well. According to the BBC, “Officials say more than 10,000 structures have been destroyed by the two biggest fires.”
Even after the wildfire is put out, southern California communities like the Pacific Palisades will suffer long-term effects due to the mass destruction. People who have lost their homes will have to permanently relocate as well as reacquire all of their belongings that have been lost. Because so many schools were destroyed, it will take a very long time for them to rebuild and resume classes. Many will lose their jobs because their businesses burned down. Billions of dollars will be spent trying to rebuild these communities in order for southern Californians to return to normal as quickly as possible. Most tragically of all, 11 people have perished and many others have been injured.
Luckily, there are many ways to help those who are lacking basic necessities. The California Fire Foundation Wildlife & Disaster Relief Fund is designed to provide assistance to local firefighters and individuals who need monetary support. The World Central Kitchen is helping to feed first responders and individuals who are lacking access to meals. The Salvation Army is also collecting donations for residents in need of food and other basic supplies. Each of these organizations are taking financial donations and volunteers so they can continue working around the clock to mitigate the devastating impacts of the wildfires as much as possible.
Offering encouraging words to those who have been impacted, renowned interior designer Leanne Ford whose newly built home got destroyed said, “I’ve been praying hard for ‘the peace that passes understanding’ through this — for everyone.”
Sophomore Brynn Hyer who used to live in California said, “I grew up in Los Angeles by the beach and it is the most beautiful place. When I found out about the fires I was devastated knowing the places I grew up were being destroyed. I am praying for everyone whose homes have been lost due to the fires as well as for my friends and family.” As destruction passes through Los Angeles, it is important to stay positive and continue to help the community in passing through this troubling and upsetting period.
