Hot news coming from California as wildfires in Los Angeles engulf thousands of acres in flames. The fires rage on as they continue to claim houses, businesses and more. These devastating fires don’t only raise temperatures, but also questions and concerns regarding damage costs, evacuation processes, and the origins of these wildfires.
Rewinding to the start, the wildfires have yet to be tracked down to one specific beginning but it goes without saying that there could be many different causes. These fires may have started from a lightning strike or an unattended campfire, but suspicions have also been raised to a possible ignition of the fire from fireworks. The possibilities of this are relatively high considering the dry winter conditions and the recent New Year celebrations. Although fireworks seem like a quick burst of fun, stray fireworks landing in the trees can easily light dry leaves which could easily lead to uncontrollable fires, according to Forbes.
Evacuation orders are rapidly increasing as the wildfires continue to spread. According to Business Insider, an estimated seven cities have been given evacuation orders leading to the relocation of over 200,000 people. With over 40,000 acres of land charred to a crisp, 25 people have already been reported dead. Many evacuees have taken shelter at Westwood Recreation, a spot in Los Angeles available to those who are seeking refuge from the Palisade and Eaton fires.
In attempts to reduce the number of tragedies, CBS News says, “Officials said tens of thousands of people in Los Angeles County remain under evacuation orders. Curfews were still in effect for the Palisades and Eaton fire zones from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.” For those under immediate evacuation orders, lacounty.gov has provided a list of all human shelters available to those in need.
Some of these shelters include:
- Ritchie Valens Recreation Center – 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331
- Westwood Recreation Center – 1350 Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
- Pasadena Civic Auditorium – 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101
- Pomona Fairplex (Gate 3) – 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768
- Stoner Recreation Center – 1835 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025
- Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Rec Center – 14201 Huston St, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
One of the most important questions that everybody is wondering, what is the damage like, and how is it being dealt with? In total there have been about 164 wildfires which has led to the destruction of over 12,300 structures. The destruction of these wildfires have also resulted in 26,117 emergency responses and counting according to California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. These wildfires are being considered the most costly as they have generated over $20 billion of insured damage cost. In 2022, an Illinois-based state farm was California’s biggest insurance company. In July 2024, they dropped almost 1,600 homeowners’ policies in Pacific Palisades. This meant that nearly 70 percent of their policies went unrenewed as stated by Aljazeera.com. These dropped policies have left residents with exhausting financial situations.
While many in LA suffer from the devastating aftermath of these fires, some may wonder, how do these fires compare to the most recent hurricanes in Florida? Hurricane Debby and Milton both brought devastating floods which destroyed cities and left many without a place to stay. While both events brought devastation, they do have their differences. The hurricanes and flooding came with warnings giving many people enough time to evacuate and prepare. On the other hand, the LA wildfires came quickly and were sped up by the winds. During the hurricanes, many people lost their houses, but many others also got lucky with only flood damage. With the wildfires there is no middle ground: almost everybody who is or was in the fire’s path has lost their entire house. Although both are very tragic, these wildfires have a violent nature causing worse devastation.
How can STA help? Students at St. Thomas Aquinas have heard about the news and have prayed for Los Angeles and the wildfires, but many wonder what else they can do. Students can get involved with non-profit organizations that provide help and support wildfire prevention. Students can also donate to the cause at RedCross.org. Many may think that small donations don’t help, but in times of need, everything counts. These donations go towards fighting the wildfires, preventing them from destroying more and raising awareness. Coming together can truly make a difference in stopping these wildfires and saving Los Angeles.
