LA FIRES 2025
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have caused significant devastation, with at least 16 lives lost (and counting, unfortunately), too-many-to-count injuries on all levels, and over 153,000 residents evacuated (and counting, unfortunately). Apparently, on January 7, 2025, sparks in a grassy area, exasperated by unprecedented Santa Ana winds, in a city that hadn’t experienced measurable rain since May 2024, have brought about this most challenging situation for firefighters and first responders, which now include a massive amount of them coming in from different states, and even from Mexico and Canada, to assist.
To date, a total of seven fires have consumed over 38,000 acres, with the Pacific Palisades neighborhood alone–the originating spot with still only 11% of the fire contained–burning approximately 20,000 acres! This has been officially declared as the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history.
The economic impact of this horrific event is estimated to exceed $150 billion, with thousands of homes and businesses destroyed. A glimpse of hope comes from steadfast resilience being shown, as people across California, and the U.S., are rallying together, offering prayers, a helping hand, and donations. So many local, state and federal officials meeting around the clock, with such brave firefighters, first responders, and military forces–airborne and ground, national and local– –tirelessly fighting against Mother Nature. Everyone doing what they can in the face of this dangerous disaster.
However, the road to recovery will be long, as that recovery keeps getting postponed. Just last night the Santa Ana winds shifted again, causing 1000 new acres to go ablaze in Palisades. No doubt, everyone with an ounce of compassion in their heart, is bracing themselves right now, as today’s forecast predicts hurricane speed winds coming back in a couple more days.
My compassionate heart is personally attached to this event, with a daughter who has been evacuated from her apartment (after just moving in there two weeks ago), a nephew and his family postured for evacuation at any moment, cousins whose home’s roof is now on its floor with no walls in sight, and dozens more relatives, friends, and acquaintances possibly suffering mentally, emotionally, logistically, and maybe physically. Prayerfully NOT, on all counts.
May God bless EVERYONE, keeping them in perfect peace!
