Wildfires continue to wreak havoc across Los Angeles, leaving South African residents in a state of distress and uncertainty.
Wildfires continue to rage across Los Angeles , leaving South Africans in the city grappling with the destruction and chaos. The blazes, which ignited last week, have spread rapidly, with the Palisades Fire burning over 9,500 hectares and the Eaton Fire at 5,600 acres. By Saturday, both fires were still only partially contained, with the Palisades Fire at just 11% containment and the Eaton Fire at 15%.The fires have caused widespread damage, destroying more than 12,000 structures.
This figure includes various buildings such as outbuildings and recreational vehicles, not just homes. The situation has become increasingly dire, with many fearing that some of the fires may have been deliberately set.South African actor and producer Stelio Savante, a resident of Los Angeles, shared his distress on social media, describing the situation as 'chaotic, dangerous, desperate, and unpredictable.' He expressed concerns that arson could be behind some of the fires and referenced multiple arrests of suspected arsonists. Despite the overwhelming destruction, Savante praised the bravery of firefighters, referring to them as 'giants taking on Goliath.'Amidst the chaos, there have been reports of looters and homeless individuals attempting to enter homes, adding another layer of tension. 'The high-force winds will not relent. This situation requires spiritual warfare,' Savante said, urging others to pray for the safety of those affected. Entrepreneur and model Sihle Makhanya also shared her emotional experience on social media, recounting the terrifying moments she witnessed the fires’ rapid expansion.'I am traumatised because I saw the fire when it was just starting and saw it grow bigger,' Makhanya explained in a TikTok video. She described the harrowing scenes of people fleeing, some in wheelchairs, as they attempted to escape the advancing flames. Makhanya expressed her frustration with the situation, noting that flights were grounded, preventing even those with private jets from leaving the area.Despite the chaos, she reassured her followers that she was safe and praised the efforts of local police and firefighters. 'They are doing everything they can,' she said, acknowledging the overwhelming scale of the crisis. In a separate development, South Africa’s Working on Fire has clarified that it has not been called upon to assist with the fires in Los Angeles. Social media videos had mistakenly suggested that South African firefighters were en route to California. However, it was later confirmed that the footage was from 2023, when the firefighters were deployed to Canada to combat wildfires there.For South African citizens in the area, the South African Consulate in Los Angeles, located on Wilshire Boulevard, has a 24-hour emergency hotline available to provide assistance with disaster-related needs, including the issuance of ID documents and passports
WILDFIRES LOS ANGELES SOUTH AFRICA ARSON FIREFIGHTERS
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