Fire Evacuees Seek Shelter

Los Angeles, Calif. — In the wake of the wildfires that erupted early Tuesday morning, January 7, 2025, California residents were urged to evacuate immediately as fast-growing flames spread throughout their neighborhoods.

Many were forced to leave their homes with only the few belongings they could grab in the short time they had before fleeing the affected areas.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) has reported 182 active fires across the state, including the Kenneth Fire, Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire, Sunset Fire, and the Palisades Fire, which has been marked as the largest and most destructive blaze so far. 

More than 40,660 acres of land have been burned with the combination of ongoing fires within the past week. Prompting 24,419 total emergency responses and 27 fatalities. The devastation has left countless residents without homes to return to, forcing them to seek shelter and support.

The Westwood Recreation Center, located at 1350 South Sepulveda Blvd., has opened its doors to displaced residents, providing temporary housing, food, water, and a safe place to rest. Relief efforts are underway to assist those affected by the disaster.

Despite the overwhelming loss, the community has shown remarkable solidarity. Many individuals have stepped up to support evacuees in any way they can.

Dr. Monica Scott, a nutritionist and chiropractor from Orange County (The Alignment Studio), has volunteered her time at the Westwood shelter, offering free chiropractic care to those experiencing physical discomfort.

“I just wanted to come up here and support the people who are displaced by giving adjustments and offering support however I can,” Scott shared. “I’ve had two people back-to-back say their sciatica flared up, and their house burned down. If I can at least help with the sciatica, they can focus on dealing with the loss of their home.”

Alongside Dr. Scott, Ann Marie Schofield, a massage therapist based in Irvine, California, has been providing massages to evacuees to help ease their stress and physical pain.

“It feels great,” Schofield said. “I can’t imagine what they are going through. If I can give them five minutes to not think about it and get a little bit of relief from some of the physical pain they might be feeling, it’s helpful.”

The fires have left countless residents grappling with loss. Majid Amirani, a husband and father from Malibu, California, had lived in the area for more than 20 years. He shared the moment he and his family were forced to evacuate their home.

“We’ve had fires before, but this one was very close,” Amirani said. “We had a fire a long time ago that burned a small portion of the building, but nothing like this. We had to evacuate in the evening. My wife stayed behind to help the firefighters, but at some point, they kicked her out—they didn’t allow her to continue. They saved the building next door, but they didn’t save ours.”

Amirani expressed frustration, noting the precautions they had taken to protect their property. “We put a new roof on last year, cut the grass, and cleared everything outside. Our building should have been saved easily, but it wasn’t.”

The devastation has left him and his family homeless. “There was a knock on the door—a forced evacuation,” Amirani told News4usOnline as he and his family camped outside the Westwood Recreation Center.

“We left with very few documents. Some of the most important ones, along with pictures, videos, and personal belongings, burned. We had to evacuate twice in less than 48 hours. The first place we went was in Woodland Hills, but the fire came there too. Suddenly, we became homeless,” he said.

For Amirani, the loss is not just personal but financial. “We rented out three units and lived in one ourselves. Now we’ve lost both our income and our home. Everything can change in a matter of seconds. That’s the way life is—so be prepared as best as you can.”

Altadena, California has long been a haven for the middle-class Black community standing as a refuge and resilience for Black homeowners, with many families having deep roots in the community. The recent Eaton Fire has left many of these homeowners without their properties, homes, and the legacy they’ve worked hard to build.

Pamela Anderson, a resident from Altadena shared her harrowing experience with the Eaton Fire.

Altadena has long been a haven for the middle-class Black community standing as a refuge and resilience for Black homeowners, with many families having deep roots in the community. The recent Eaton Fire has left many of these homeowners without their properties, homes, and the legacy they’ve worked hard to build.

“I was talking to my sister on the phone, and the sky was a beautiful red,” Anderson said. “At first, I thought it was just the sunset. Then I realized it was six o’clock—too late for a sunset. I went out to the front, and the fire was raging next door to my house. That’s when I knew it was time to go.”

Anderson evacuated to her boyfriend’s house, thinking they were far enough away from the danger.

“At 3:30 in the morning, his smoke alarms went off, and his front yard was on fire. So, we had to leave there too,” she recounted. “Fortunately, his aunt had an extra house in California that we never knew about, and that’s where we’ve been able to stay. In the end, I feel truly blessed. Everything else is replaceable, but we aren’t.”

If you or someone you know is in need of shelter, resources are available. The Westwood Recreation Center, located at 1350 South Sepulveda Blvd., is providing temporary housing, food, and water for evacuees. Residents are encouraged to seek assistance and prioritize their safety during this challenging time.

If you’d like to support the Lavasani family, you can contribute to their GoFundMe page at gofund.me/d7747390. Every donation helps the family begin the difficult journey of recovery.

To assist Altadena homeowners, a Displaced Black Families GoFundMe Directory has been created. The directory maps out all those affected by the fires in Altadena, helping raise funds to support their immediate and long-term recovery efforts.

The directory aims to provide financial assistance to help everyone in rebuilding homes and restoring lost resources.Visit the Displaced Black Families GoFundMe Directory at bit.ly/4jfnHBg to contribute and support the rebuilding of Black families’ homes and lives in Altadena.