The LA Fires of January 2025 are a mass causality of destruction of life, property, nature, wildlife, and livelihoods.
We here at Hollywood Sentinel are deeply saddened by the horrendous fires that have torn through our beloved LA in Altadena, Pacific Palisades, parts of Malibu, and beyond. We are personally affected by the tragedy and will share more later this weekend, as well as a list of resources to help others impacted, as we have been.
Until then, if you have been displaced due to the fires, here is what to do right away after you are in a safe space:
- Call FEMA
- Call your insurance company if you have a policy for rental or homeowners
- Call the SBA if you have a business
- Call us at 310-226-7176 and leave your number if you need our assistance with information before this weekend concerning shelter, grants, etc.
- Call an attorney if you lost your home or place to live, for help filing a claim
Lastly, we want to urge all California voters to vote. California Governor Newsom reportedly slashed 101 million from the fire department budget (source: Newsweek), and LA Mayor Karen Bass reportedly cut the fire department budget by 17.6 million (source: BBC).
The LA Times confirmed our immediate belief that the LA power company (SCE) is most likely the cause of the fires, with their notorious failed system that has not been upgraded, and their exploding transponders that get overloaded in windstorms (source: SCE worker as told to the Hollywood Sentinel).
The good news is, LA citizens are strong, resilient, and already talking of rebuilding their lives. Those who have lived in LA their whole life refuse to leave. We feel the same. We love our city and the great people in it.
We mourn for those who lost their lives, homes, and livelihoods. We pray for healing and rebuilding soon.
Stay tuned for more news here later this weekend.
–Bruce Edwin
