By Copy Editor Raya Anderson
Since Jan. 7, a series of fires have broken out in Los Angeles, California. The Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, and other small fires, has led to mandatory evacuations, thousands of displaced residents, and a death toll of 25.
Amidst the strong winds, the Palisades Fire had burned 23,700 acres and 14% had been contained as of now. The Eaton Fire has burned off 14,117 acres with 35% contained. Wind warnings have also been sent out, describing severe winds by Monday night leading to projections of more fire growth from the winds.
Residents of Pacific Palisades and Altadena were advised to evacuate immediately, forcing them to leave behind personal belongings, even animal companions for those that weren’t home at the time of evacuations. Those who entered the evacuated area would be punished by law, or even scathed by the fire.
As of now, eight people have lost their lives to the Palisades Fire and 16 to the Eaton Fire. There is no exact count of the actual death toll, the fire complicating the estimate.
Against the law enforcements for evacuations, looters took the opportunity to search burned homes but were detained. Attorney’s are pushing to increase the punishments for anyone who loots in evacuated areas at this time.
“There shouldn’t be anyone going in those burned homes period,” Culver City Resident Samia Mareine said. “It should mean something when people are crying over their belongings not their homes and not appealing to someone as an opportunity to steal stuff from people’s homes. It's disgusting.”
In response to those without homes or belongings, there's been a huge intake of donations at centers set up in LA for fire victims. Few shelters had to stop receiving donations as they were filled up. Organizations have been looking for volunteers and cash donations to add more relief among the victims. They advise no more clothing since there is no more space for it. Emergency Network Los Angeles, L.A. Works, and CaliforniansForAll.ca.gov are all looking for volunteers and donations to help LA.
“I wanted to donate but they said they were not taking anymore clothing donations. There were donations everywhere and a line to donate. They wanted food or water more than clothes,” Downtown Los Angeles Resident Tee Gladden said.
With little containment, investigators have not found the cause of the fires but have pinpointed the location where it may have started. They work hard to find answers for the community, as well as preventing another catastrophe like this.
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