In California, starting on January 7 2025, wildfires have engulfed parts of the Los Angeles region, leaving entire communities broken and devastated. The wildfires, which erupted due to extreme winds and dry conditions causing them to spread at a rapid pace. They have killed at least 25 people and completely destroyed hundreds of homes and structures.
The Palisades Fire, which began the wildfires, erupted the morning of January 7, and the city of Los Angeles has been under evacuation orders since. Also, about 88,000 people are still under evacuation, fearing for their homes and loved ones. Approximately 40,695 acres in California have burned in cities such as Eaton and Palisades as of January 16th.
These fires have a drastic impact on the local communities of California. The wildfires have displaced thousands of residents and threatened the livelihoods of thousands ofCalifornia citizens. These fires have also caused drastic environmental destruction throughout the state. They have destroyed forests, wildlife habitats, and biodiversity, with long-term effects on ecosystems. The fire has also burned numerous landmarks such as Theatre Palisades, Will Rogers State Park, Malibu Feed Bin, and the Bunny Museum and the long term effect these fires will have on the state of California is still up in the air, however it will likely take abundant resources and attention to help aid California back to normalcy.
The fires have also caused a plethora of health risks for California residents, such as poor air quality, which can lead to respiratory issues and long-term complications for more vulnerable populations. Also, studies have shown that wildfire smoke can have adverse effects on cardiovascular health, as exposure to the smoke can increase risk of heart attacks, strokes, and irregular heartbeats. There are also plenty of mental health repercussions that the wildfires have caused those who are affected.
The pressure on first responders during this crisis has been immense, as they work around the clock in dangerous conditions to save lives, protect property, and contain the rapidly spreading flames. The firefighters put their lives at risk in order to aid their communities and provide response and protection to those in the areas of the fires. The job of these firefighters does not go unnoticed, and many communities outside of California are creating relief funds as well as donating the necessary supplies and providing meals to help them stay fueled during these long and grueling shifts.
As a New York City school, there is a list of things we can do to help those in California affected by the wildfires. Starting with donating to helpful campaigns such as American Red Cross, California Community Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund, and Direct Relief. At Ray’s Bar on the Lower East Side, the bar served as a donation site for the fire victims. They created boxes of essential items for those evacuating. There are many other sites in the city that work as donation sites.
Actions we can take as a Clinton community is to spread awareness and advocate for the victims of the wildfires. We can do this through our schoolwork, clubs, and other extracurricular activities. We can also engage our peers, teachers, and parents into the conversation and raise awareness to those around us to bring attention to this devastating crisis within the United States in a city in many ways similar to ours.
