Right now, there are 3 main fires burning California. Starting from arsonist, the biggest fire in the Pacific Palisades is still barely contained. The fires are still continuing to spread through California and the fire-fighters arent getting any breaks. Each fire spread quickly due to the strong California winds and the embers traveling miles down the coast.
Pacific Palisades fire: Being the largest of all 3, Palisades fire has traveled 23,654 acres and is currently 19% contained. Starting January 7th 2025 in the Bluffs, many homes were lost. Palisades Charter High School was 30% burned down leaving many students to transfer out or go online. Pali village for the most part managed to survive. However, on Sunset Boulevard, there were major damages to old iconic restaurants and attractions. The restaurants that are no longer with us include the Reel Inn, Moonshadows, Cholada Thai, and Canyon Bakery. All being major attractions, they are sadly gone. During the Pali fire, it stuck malibu as well also doing some damages
Eaton Fire: The second largest fire stands in Eaton spreading 14,117 acres and being 45% contained. Starting January 7th as well, it started Northeast of Altafena Drive & Midwick Drive, Eaton Canyon, Altadena/Pasadena. Most of the fire impacted water quality and caused contamination. Firefighters have been working hard in these areas potentially saving lots more land. Almost being half way contained most people hoping no more damage is done.
Auto Fire: Being located in Ventura county, Auto Fire is the smallest of the 3 spreading 61 acres, and is 50% contained. It started in the Santa Clara river, January 13th 2025, not much was damaged. Most mountain ranges were burned, sparing homes in Ventura. “The fire was confined to the river bottom and no structures were threatened,” officials with the Ventura County Fire Department said on X.
(The person being interviewed does not want his named shared)
-What was it like evacuating your home?
– “Evacuating home was a little bit stressful, not scary. We just came back from a trip in the morning around 11 and the fire was already in our neighborhood so we had no time to pack or save any items. My dad didn’t want to leave the house and wanted to try to save it but I knew there was no point, it was too dangerous. When we drove out of our neighborhood it looked like an apocalypse and everything around me was burning.”
-When did you find out you had to evacuate?
– “We didn’t know at all, we just came back from the airport and saw a giant cloud of smoke and my mom started freaking out. We hoped it wasn’t close to our house but when we got closer we knew it could get dangerous.
-What was going through your mind when you found out your house isn’t going to make it?
– “I didn’t really care about the stuff I lost because my mind was only on my family and the safety of them and what would happen next. I didn’t really lose much because I just had some clothes and jewelry. But my mom and dad lost a lot. My dad lost all of his files and documents of his business and my mom lost all her artwork she’s been working on for five years.”
-When Pali High School was being burned what was going through your head?
– “I didn’t really care about Pali high at the moment because I had other things to worry about and I’m doing mostly online anyway. But I feel bad for other people that don’t have an opportunity to go to school. It’s like another Covid.”
-What things did you take with you?
– “I took my drivers license, some money, and all my documents and took some family pictures.”
-What is something that you’re going to miss in Pali?
– “The things I’m going to miss are my skate shop and the community. But I know the Palisades are going to rebuild greater and who knows, we might even have a nicer Pali”
All wildfires are scary and nerve racking. Any damage done is heartbreaking and a sad thing to experience. The fires will die down eventually but for now, they remain the same. Condolences to all the people whose homes and property were lost.
