On January 7, fires ignited in California in areas that included the Palisades, Eaton, and Hughes. The fires expanded since the start due and lasted for a long period of time due to the wind and dryness.

As January came to a close, the Eaton fire had a containment level of 99% and had burned more than 14,000 acres. The Hughes fire was 98% contained and burned 10,400 acres. The Palisades fire had been 96% contained and had burned 23,400 acres.

The most recent fire was the Rosa fire, and it was contained quicker than most with a containment level of 75%. It had burned 105 acres. There were other little fires that were almost contained right away.

Why should we care?

Although these fires occurred on the other side of the country, we as citizens need to have sympathy and provide any kind of support that we can.

Almost 19,000 structures had been destroyed and damaged.  It will cost around 280 billion dollars to repair the damage that was done.

However, one cannot repair or replace the personal things people have kept and received during their lifetime.

People around the country are labeling those who lost their homes or businesses as “rich celebrities” and saying that when these celebrities’ homes are burning down, that it’s okay because they can just “build new ones.”

Not all of these people are celebrities or rich. All of these people — no matter how much money they have — have lost so much.  It’s extremely devastating to see all these people losing their lives as well as their houses, photos, belongings, and treasured personal possessions. Those things can never be replaced.

Groups such as Red Cross, LA Fire Department Foundation, California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund and Salvation Army are all taking money and resources to help those affected by the wildfires.