In recent weeks the Los Angeles regions have been in devastation. Fires have spread out devouring homes and the lives of many.
Many people have lost their homes, their pets, and in a few cases family members. Throughout the county people have had to evacuate their homes leaving everything and anything that wasn’t deemed important. As of January 17, 2025, there are 28 people found dead and about 111,000 people displaced from their homes.
NBC news article by Minyvonne Burke and Liz Kreutz covered the deaths of the L.A fires. Gone but never forgotten, this is a list of the people found deceased in their L.A. homes. Anthony and Justin Mitchell, a father and son who couldn’t leave their home due to both the father and son’s disabilities. Erliene Louise Kelley, mother and grandmother, was at home when she saw the fires, she didn’t evacuate thinking everything would be fine. Her grandchild said she would most likely be at peace with being in her home. Victor Shaw, he had tried to protect his five decade family home. His sister tried getting him to evacuate with her, but as she looked back the house was already going up in flames.
A New York Times article wrote about the ways the people of California are helping with survivors of the fire. Although much of the city is sitting in despair, mourning over everything they’ve lost, some people are still able to help with the carnage. A group named the Altadena Girls started by an 8th grader, Avery Colvert, have started a recovery fund for teenage girls and women who had lost everything in the local Eaton Fire. A local art studio started a donation drive for teenage girls; handing out clothes, shoes, and toiletries.
It’s not just the people who live normal lives. Paris Hilton has started an emergency fund for those who have lost their homes. She has started the donation with 100,000 dollars. Other celebrities like Eva Longoria, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Beyonce have pledged funds for those who lost everything. So many more are doing amazing things for their community during this tragic time. Cheyenne and Zach Davis, a couple in SoCal (Southern California) who have changed their home to help support others who have lost their homes.
While some homes in California were spared from the fires, people whose homes were not, are not allowed to return home. Citizens of Los Angeles who can’t return home are rightfully angry. Some who are misplaced are stuck living in their cars because they can’t afford to go to a hotel, or they don’t have any other family around them.
The California wildfires are a tragedy for all those who live or have family members in Los Angeles. But where there is dark there is a spark of light. People are helping others in their times of need. Most aren’t wealthy, but they’re doing what they can to help where they can.
