One week into the new year, flames carried by winds of over 50 mph started what is now one of the most destructive natural disasters in Los Angeles history, the Palisades Fire. Since last Tuesday night, over 180,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Los Angeles County, leaving all of their precious belongings and homes behind. As it stands, responders have been able to cease over 5 fires (Hurst Fire, Sunset Fire, Woodley Fire, Archer Fire and Kenneth Fire), leaving only the Palisades and Eaton Fires still standing. 

Multiple shelters have opened in the Los Angeles area to aid the community through the coordination efforts of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, the California Department of Social Service and local governments.

We commend the emergency responders for their bravery and stand in solidarity to the Los Angeles community. Our hearts are with all those being affected by the wildfires which is why we are here to applify the voices of those driving recovery efforts. We believe strength and unity will pave the way to recovery which is why we are proud supporters of the American Red Cross. 

For more resources:

• Real time updates on the active fires, check out Fire Incident Finder Map. 
• Information on the fires, check out the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’s websites. 
• Information on available shelters, check out this website.

Julie Talenfeld

President