It’s been over a week since two huge fires forced tens of thousands of individuals to evacuate their homes in the Los Angeles area. Unfortunately, residents won’t be able to return home anytime soon, as officials have stated. While the search continues for human remains in the destroyed neighborhoods, there are additional hazards to consider. Burned slopes pose a risk of landslides, and the charred debris is laden with asbestos and other dangerous substances.
Over 80,000 individuals are currently awaiting evacuation orders, with uncertainty clouding their minds as to what remains of their homes, apartments, and belongings. Numerous individuals have congregated at checkpoints, desperately imploring police and soldiers to grant them access to their neighborhoods.
Officials acknowledge the frustration of residents, but they are urging them to be patient as hazardous materials teams and cadaver dogs meticulously search the area block by block. They anticipate that it will take at least a week before residents can return to their homes.
Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella expressed his dismay at the state of the properties, emphasizing the extensive damage they had sustained. He revealed that the properties were now filled with sediment, debris, silt, and other hazardous materials.
Some damaged homes are now experiencing unstable hillsides, and a recent incident in Pacific Palisades resulted in a small landslide that caused debris to spill onto the streets, according to the official.
As firefighters persist in fighting the two biggest fires, claiming the lives of 27 individuals and demolishing over 12,000 structures, devastated families and business owners now face the daunting challenge of rebuilding what they have lost.
The magnitude of the endeavor will be immense – the expanse ravaged by the major fires is equivalent to three times the size of Manhattan. This catastrophe stands as one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Southern California.
In order to prioritize the health and safety of residents, the county has implemented a new regulation. As of Thursday, it is now prohibited to conduct any cleanup or removal of fire debris until government officials have completed a thorough inspection for hazardous materials. This measure aims to prevent any potential health risks and ensure the well-being of the community.
The city is taking measures to prevent the region’s storm drainage system from getting clogged as the rainy season approaches. Additionally, the city is also addressing the potential risk of mudslides caused by heavy rainfall.
The fires came at a difficult time for the city. It happened during the post-pandemic transition, when work life was being reorganized and many downtown buildings were experiencing high vacancy rates.
Mayor Karen Bass had been prioritizing the region’s severe homelessness crisis before the devastating fires broke out last week. Additionally, preparations are in progress to host the 2028 Olympics, making the situation even more challenging for the area.
Private firms anticipate that the wildfires could result in losses amounting to tens of billions of dollars, making it potentially the most expensive fire catastrophe in the history of the United States.
Alex Rosewood and her entire family in Altadena, northeast of Los Angeles, suffered the devastating loss of their homes. This includes not only her father, with whom she and her husband were living, but also her aunt, uncle, and cousin who lived next door.
Rosewood lost precious mementos that held a lifetime of memories. Among them were her grandmother’s cherished playing cards and unfinished quilt, which held sentimental value. Also lost were her wedding photos and heirlooms from her Navy-serving grandfather. Unfortunately, the smoke engulfed the sky in a somber gray hue as her cousin’s house went up in flames, rendering any hopes of saving these keepsakes futile.
Altadena, however, continues to be my beloved home.
“We definitely have plans to rebuild,” she affirmed.
Questions will inevitably arise about the wisdom of continuing to rebuild in areas that are known to be at high risk, particularly in the face of climate change.
What will the new neighborhoods resemble? Will they incorporate fire-resistant materials and designs? Do they require more and wider roads to facilitate quicker evacuations and provide better accessibility for fire engines during future wildfires?
According to Michael Hricak, an adjunct professor of architecture at the University of Southern California, there will be a significant delay in the construction process due to the presence of hazardous chemicals and debris that need to be cleared before any building can take place.
When it comes to new construction, the key is not to outdo Mother Nature but to have a sense of respect and understanding for the challenges that lie ahead.
Hricak expressed concern, asking, “Are we simply inviting another problem in the future?”
The recovery and rebuilding process in Paradise, a Northern California community devastated by the state’s deadliest wildfire in 2018 that claimed the lives of 85 people, serves as a vivid example of the arduous and challenging nature of such endeavors.
The fire devastated approximately 11,000 homes, accounting for around 90% of the structures in the community. However, amidst the destruction, there is hope as 3,200 homes and apartments have been reconstructed.
The town, with a previous population of 26,000, has faced challenges due to soaring construction costs, exorbitant insurance premiums, and the uncertainty surrounding compensation for those who lost their homes. Pacific Gas & Electric, which was held responsible for starting the destructive blaze, has added to the town’s predicament.
In an effort to expedite the process of rebuilding for Los Angeles residents, Mayor Bass has issued an executive order this week. This order aims to eliminate the bureaucratic hurdles and red tape that the city is well-known for. It is designed to ensure that residents can swiftly and efficiently rebuild their homes and communities.
The plan to remove paint, cleaners, asbestos, batteries, and other household waste from the rubble before clearing debris has already been approved by the federal government. According to Robert Fenton Jr., a regional administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, this is the initial action towards getting people back into their homes.
In other areas, the agency is providing aid to individuals in need of temporary accommodation.
Michele Baron and her daughter visited a recovery center in West Los Angeles to seek assistance in obtaining new birth certificates and Social Security cards.
Baron’s world came crashing down when her beloved Pacific Palisades apartment, where she had lived for over two decades, was engulfed in flames and reduced to ashes. Despite the devastating loss, there was a glimmer of hope when her daughter managed to return to the site and miraculously salvage a ring and some pottery that Baron had lovingly crafted as a child.
Despite experiencing a traumatic event, the decision is to remain in the current location.
