[NOTE: This blog was originally written on January 10, 2025. I am continuing to update it on a regular basis with the latest statistics and other resources on how we can help those in need. Please refresh this page to see the latest statistics and links listed below.]
JANUARY 10, 2025: As I write this, fires continue to rage across southern California. We were among the more than 285,000 people without power this week. Family members and friends were forced to evacuate. Although they are safe, several friends lost their homes. As for my family, we are grateful to be safe and that our power has been restored. But we mourn the devastation and heartbreaking loss across Los Angeles County and our state.
I reached out to the many people I had interviewed for my latest YA nonfiction book, RISING FROM THE ASHES: LOS ANGELES, 1992. EDWARD JAE SONG LEE, LATASHA HARLINS, RODNEY KING, AND A CITY ON FIRE (Norton Young Readers 2024) about the 1992 Los Angeles uprising (AKA 사이구 “Sa I Gu” for Korean Americans). Thankfully they are all safe, but some have family members who have lost their homes. Many told me they also experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because of the hauntingly similar images of the fires today compared to 1992.
I also spoke with Emile Mack, a retired Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) firefighter whom I had also profiled in my book. Mack’s wedding was scheduled during the 1992 Los Angeles civil unrest. For 72 straight hours, he and his fire company tirelessly fought fires throughout Koreatown and the city of Los Angeles. Miraculously, they still managed to make his wedding! After the ceremony, Mack and his groomsmen tried to return their rented tuxedos, only to find out the store had burned down. “The store’s gone,” the store owner told Mack. “There’s nothing.” (Source: Rising from the Ashes)
Mack is a Korean adoptee (born Yoon Young Do) who was adopted by Clarence and Undine Mack in 1959. He grew up with his Black American family in South Los Angeles (known back then as “South Central L.A.”). Because of his dual heritage, Mack worked with the Black-Korean Alliance and other groups to help bridge both communities together. After 1992, he rose through the ranks to become Chief Deputy, second-in-command, of the LAFD.
When I reached out to Mack this week, he told me: “It was so challenging for firefighters to have several major fires in such populated areas in L.A. We had not experienced this before. Around the world, we see disasters occurring on a larger scale, more intense, and their seasonal periods expand.”
Mack also noted that firefighters have always been worried about potential wildfires in areas like the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. “The Palisades and Altadena were the fires we have been dreading for a long time,” he said. “A 70-100 mph wind driven, low fuel moisture fire in a populated area of the city, similar to the Oakland Hills fire some years back. There is little that can be to stop the fire in the mountain brush with high winds and low fuel moisture. We can only try and protect homes and structures. This leads to the contentious discussion of how and if to build in these type areas in the future and how to best protect what’s already there.”
PHOTO CAPTION: A collection of Before and After photos of the Koreatown malls burning at 6th and Western (top left) and 1st and Vermont (bottom left) taken by Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Hyungwon Kang during the April 29-May 4, 1992 Los Angeles uprising, and the same buildings today (taken by Paula Yoo).
For comparison: The 1992 #LAUprising, which lasted from April 29 to May 4, 1992, resulted in 63 deaths, $1 billion in damages, 3600 fires, over 1100 buildings burned to the ground and more than 3000 businesses destroyed. Schools, concerts, and sporting events were canceled. Curfews were mandated. Wind and air pollution advisories affected millions of residents. Over 15,000 National Guard and federal troops were deployed. The fires in 1992 were so powerful that our satellites alerted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, showing an average of three fires erupting every minute. The heat of the fires matched the same temperature as that of the 1991 Mount Pinatubo volcanic eruption in the Philippines.
Cut to 33 years later: As of January 15, 2025, an estimated 12,300 structures have been damaged or destroyed. More than 150,000 people were ordered to evacuate. Air and dust advisories were issued for over 17 million residents. Over the past weekk, 285,000 residents were left without power (electricity, heat and water issues, too). Evacuation orders remain for 150,000 people in Los Angeles County, and hundreds of families have sought refuge in nine shelters. The Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires have covered over 62 square miles (larger than San Francisco) and the Palisades and Eaton fires have damaged 59 square miles. The National Guard has now been deployed to help protect our state. More than 14,000 firefighters and personnel from around the country and Mexico have arrived to assist our brave LAFD firefighters. [NOTE: See source notes below.]
Similar to 1992, curfews have been issued in certain areas, several school districts have closed temporarily, and many entertainment and sporting events have been canceled. Damages are currently estimated to be as high as $250 to $275 billion dollars. 25 people have died. To find out more about their lives, please read CNN’s “A father at the bedside of his son, a surfer and a woman who stayed behind with her beloved pets are among wildfire victims” by Ray Sanchez (1/13/25).
Although the smoke has cleared in certain areas (including ours) and the skies look blue, there are still strict wind and air advisories due to the toxic cocktail of burnt cars, construction materials, fiberglass, plastic, rubber, paint, asphalt, cleaning material etc. Please read this article to learn how to protect yourself by wearing masks, staying indoors if possible, and using air purifiers: Global News’ “Los Angeles wildfires: The unique dangers of urban wildfire smoke”
By Katie Dangerfield (1/10/25)
Obviously this is just the beginning. I will continue to update this blog with the latest statistics. Right now, people’s lives are at stake. But these fires have also devastated California’s economy and will have immense repercussions for everybody in the state. In my book, I also touched upon the financial aftermath of the 1992 L.A. civil unrest. Almost half of the $1 billion dollars in damage was disproportionately in Koreatown. Many Korean American storeowners lost their life savings and almost 40,000 people filed for unemployment. Korean Americans also experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which led to a turning point in our community where thousands sought professional therapy and mental health services for the first time. Bridges of solidarity were formed between the Korean American and Black communities. To this day, we are all still trying to support each other and maintain friendships and bonds forged since 사이구 Sa I Gu. (Sa I Gu stands for the numbers 4-2-9 to commemorate the first day of the uprising, April 29, 1992, and for the birth of the political and cultural Korean American identity.)
In addition, almost 7,000 buildings have also been damaged or destroyed in Altadena, a diverse and historically Black neighborhood and one of California’s first Black middle-class communities to flourish after “redlining” segregation had been outlawed in the state. I cover these issues in my book, too. Rodney King, whose family I had the honor of interviewing, also grew up in Altadena. (Sources: Rising from the Ashes; Washington Post’s “‘No one has a home’: What fire took from one California neighborhood” by Joshua Partlow, Jan. 10, 2025; and Yahoo News’ “Historic Black neighborhood of Altadena reduced to ashes in Los Angeles Wildfires” by Haniyah Philogene, Jan. 10, 2025)
Let us remember the lessons learned in 사이구 Sa I Gu and continue to support each other during this unprecedented and historic disaster. Climate change is real. We must be accountable and responsible, both as individuals and as citizens who can vote for stronger and more effective legislation to protect our environment and save our planet.
Write to your Representative and Senators to remind them that climate is a priority issue for people who voted in the election and to urge them to work together to prioritize climate legislation in the 119th Congress. Link: https://community.citizensclimate.org/tools/write-congress#/147/
We are grateful for the courage and compassion of not only our firefighters but also the individual citizens and neighbors risking their lives to help those in need (including our pets and wildlife!), as well as the intrepid journalists braving the fires to investigate the latest breaking news in order to keep the public well-informed on the facts and how we can best help those displaced by these fires.
As with what happened after the 1992 Los Angeles uprising, let us all commit to rising from the ashes once again to rebuild in solidarity. #LAStrong
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January 15, 2025: I will update this blog as needed with resources to help those in need as they become available.
KQED: “How to Help People Affected by the LA Fires” by Nisa Khan.
Los Angeles Times: “A list of free and discounted resources for victims of Los Angeles-area fires” by Karen Garcia
Important information from the Los Angeles Fire Department website: The LAFD reminds everyone: “Please do not drop off donations at fire stations or shelters as it impacts the critical operations of these frontline responders.” The LAFD can only accept non-perishable, indvidually wrapped items and other essential goods, not services.
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority: “Resource to support those affected by the L.A. Fires”
Please also visit the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank where I have volunteered in the past and plan to again this year. They’re a great organization and have updated their website with information regarding the fires: https://www.lafoodbank.org
As for our pets and wildlife, Best Friends is one of the many animal welfare organizations offering support: https://bestfriends.org/emergency-response/los-angeles-wildfires
Other organizations also involved with helping those affected by the fires include:
League of California Community Foundations
As a TV writer/producer and member of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), please go here to check out my union’s information on providing help for writers affected and/or displaced by the fires: https://entertainmentcommunity.org/CAFires
As a violinist/musician who is also a member of the AFM Local 47, please go here to check out my union’s information as well for helping musicians affected and/or displaced by the fires: https://www.afm.org/2025/01/california-wildfires/
I also recommend following “Producer Patrick” on Instagram whose videos do a great job breaking down the state of our Hollywood TV and film industry right now as well as how the wildfires are affect our professional communities as well: https://producerpatrick.com & https://www.instagram.com/producer.patrick/
As for learning more about the great history and culture of the city of Los Angeles, look no further than Evan Lovett, host of “L.A. in a Minute.” He is posting many helpful videos and podcasts about the latest breaking news on the wildfires and where to help. Links: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8mol8D8CR4Nv7nck_iiHHA & https://www.instagram.com/lainaminute/
Many dear friends have lost their homes and all their belongings. I am grateful they are safe but heartbroken by their incredible loss. Many GoFundMe pages are being set up to help them during this crisis. My AFM Local 47 musicians’ union social media pages has been posting this helpful information to advise those who have GoFundMe pages that it may conflict with certain types of FEMA assistance. Here is what the AFM Local 47 posted:
“RUMOR: If I receive donations form a GoFundMe page or something similar, FEMA will not help me.”
“ANSWER: “It depends. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits you receive from another source. However, there are many different types of assistance available through FEMA and we review each application and we review each application to ensure you receive the aid for which you are available. If you receive money from a GoFundMe page for a specific disaster-related expense — such as home repairs, funeral expenses or other emergency needs — you may not be able to receive FEMA aid for the same expense. For example, if you receive donations to clean up storm damage t your home, FEMA may not be able to also grant you financial assistance for home clean up. We encourage all survivors to apply for assistance regardless so we can review your specific case.” For more helpful tips and resources, please visit my musicians union at: https://afm47.org
FREE N95 MASKS: N95 masks are available for the public at all Los Angeles Public Library locations while supplies last. Visit lapl.org/branches for hours and updates. Emergency information and resources can be found at lapl.org/be-ready
Write to your Representative and Senators to remind them that climate is a priority issue for people who voted in the election and to urge them to work together to prioritize climate legislation in the 119th Congress. Link: https://community.citizensclimate.org/tools/write-congress#/147/
[SOURCE NOTES: Sources for the above statistics are continually updated from various news outlets including Associated Press (AP)’s “What to know about the devastation from the Los Angeles-area fires” and https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-wildfires-palisades-eaton-california-01-12-25/index.html and AP’s “24 dead as fire crews try to corral Los Angeles blazes before winds return this week” by Christopher Weber and Holly Ramer (1/12/25) and U.S. Department of Defense’s “National Guard Fights California Wildfires, Additional Assets Remain on Standby” (1/13/25) and the New York Times’ “Economic Toll of Los Angeles Fires Goes Far Beyond Destroyed Homes” by Lydia DePillis (1/15/25)]
(PHOTO CREDIT: Photo collage of two Los Angeles Times front page headlines from January 10, 2025 and May 1, 1992 from newspapers.com; book cover of RISING FROM THE ASHES; and a photo of author Paula Yoo holding up her book outside the same Koreatown mall on 6th & Western that burned down taken by Hyungwon Kang.)