LA fire evacuees told no chance of return until at least Jan 16
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Many are desperate to get back to homes, which they had to flee with just a few moments’ notice, to pick up medicines or clothes that they did not have a chance to grab.
PHOTO: AFP
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LOS ANGELES – Tens of thousands of people forced from their homes by enormous fires raking Los Angeles
Frustrated evacuees have formed lines at checkpoints, hoping to get into evacuation zones created for the Palisades fire and the Eaton fire, massive blazes that razed whole neighbourhoods.
Many are desperate to get back to homes, which they had to flee with just a few moments’ notice, to pick up medicines or clothes that they did not have a chance to grab.
Others simply want to find out if their houses have survived.
But Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said on Jan 12 that gusting winds forecasted for this week mean the fire emergency is far from over.
“They can’t go home, simply because it’s not safe,” he told a press conference.
“It’s our collective priority... to be able to get residents back in their homes just as quickly as possible.
“That conversation is not going to occur until the end of the predicted red flag event that’s on its way,” he said, referring to the strong winds expected to last until Jan 15.
“Please rest assured that first thing Thursday, we will start talking about repopulation.”
Lines stretching for several city blocks have seen people queueing for up to 11 hours for a short escorted visit to their homes in an evacuation zone.
One woman, who gave her name as Janelle, told broadcaster KTLA that she knew her house was gone, but she needed “closure.”
“I see the photos, I see the videos, and I just want to see it with my own eyes,” she said, her voice breaking. “I know it’s gone, but... I just want to see it for myself.”
Editor Henry Levinson was trying to get to his home in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood.
“I wanted to collect my dad’s ashes, which we had to leave behind, as well as my grandma’s ashes, which we also had to leave behind,” he told AFP on Jan 12.
But even those escorted visits were stopped on Jan 12, as firefighters fretted about the strengthening winds and their potential to reignite smouldering embers.
Mr Marrone said a system was being developed to allow evacuated residents to go online to view if their homes had been damaged or destroyed.
Los Angeles City Councilor Traci Park said she understood the anguish of those affected, but conditions were simply too difficult.
“These are hard decisions, and I know that many of my constituents are disappointed and frustrated, but safety must remain our top priority,” she said.
Around 100,000 people remain under compulsory evacuation orders in multiple fire zones, down from a peak of 180,000 last week.
Areas hit by fires have been devastated, with whole streets reduced to cinders, and infrastructure badly mangled.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said his deputies would continue to keep people out of the zones.
“A lot of these areas still look like they were hit by a bomb. There are live electrical wires, gas lines and other hazards,” he said.
“I know there are a lot of folks trying to get back to their houses. We are very empathetic and sensitive to those needs, but your safety comes first.”
The latest official death toll from the deadly blazes stood at 24, but was expected to rise as search teams with dogs go house to house. AFP
