Every evening, my family and I gathered around the TV, horrified by the relentless breaking news of the Los Angeles wildfires. As of Jan. 15, the Palisades Fire had claimed 25 lives, displaced approximately 180,000 residents, and left 13 people missing as it continued to devastate California. After 24 days, firefighters successfully contained 100% of the fires on Jan. 31.
While the Palisades Fire was the largest, it was not the only blaze wreaking havoc. On Jan. 7, Santa Ana winds ignited the Hurst and Eaton fires, which, along with additional wildfires in the following days, burned more than 40,000 acres, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE, and other agencies worked tirelessly to control the flames and address new hotspots.
Hoban staff member and wildland firefighter Anna Siders shared her experience responding to fires of this scale.
“Fighting fires is a nationwide initiative, so assistance from across the country is always aware of the threat,” Siders said. She emphasized the unpredictability of wildfires, adding, “Fires can change at any point depending on time of day, weather, and what is fueling the flames.” She also expressed concern for the wildlife and natural habitats destroyed by the fires.
Social media played a major role in relief efforts, with celebrities using their platforms to direct displaced individuals to shelters and raise funds for rebuilding efforts. The Grammy Awards on Feb. 2 dedicated much of their show to fostering support, as many attendees had been directly affected by the fires.
During the event, QR codes were placed on television screens and under celebrities’ tables to encourage donations. Despite the excitement of Sabrina Carpenter winning Best Pop Vocal Album, Chappell Roan earning Best New Artist, and Beyoncé taking home Album of the Year, the Grammys raised $7 million for LA fire relief.
As firefighters and residents continue working to rebuild what was lost, Californians face an uncertain future. Those looking to support restoration efforts can donate to organizations such as Airbnb, World Vision, and NBC’s disaster relief fund.
