As wildfires ravaged through parts of California, including Simon Senior-Eaks’ hometown of downtown Los Angeles, the SIU aviation major found himself watching the fires get closer to his home. What began as a familiar and somewhat routine event for southern California residents, quickly became one of the region’s most devastating fires in years.
“When the wildfires first started, I thought it was a small fire,” Senior-Eaks said. “Since California is dry, it’s not uncommon for fires to happen. But after a while, more fires started and that’s when I knew it was more serious.”
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The fires started while SIU classes were dismissed for winter break so Senior-Eaks was back at home.
“Luckily, my family and I were fine but we were worried since the strong winds were blowing the fires and making them worse,” he said.
The fast winds not only fueled the fires but spread them to new areas, forcing thousands of people in LA to evacuate. For many residents, the wildfires weren’t their only struggle, they also had to struggle with their insurance.
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“Insurance was not helping people if their house burned down or if they lost anything in the fire,” Senior-Eaks said.
MSN states that several insurance companies have taken away policies in California, but recently, California’s Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara suspended insurance companies from canceling on homeowners affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires for one year.
Senior-Eaks’ family didn’t hesitate to offer help when one of his close friends lost their home to the fires.
“My friend’s house burned down, and my family opened our doors to him and his family,” he said.
The devastation caused by the wildfires has reminded many, including Senior-Eaks, of the importance of community during disaster.
“The community of California has been coming together to help the people who has been affected by the wildfires by giving them shelter, food, and water,” Senior-Eaks said.
As progress is being made in northern LA, with evacuation orders being lifted on Jan. 23, new wildfires are starting in southern California. On Jan. 25, a new wildfire was discovered at 8:26 a.m. in Los Angeles County.
The Sacramento Bee states that the wildfire has been burning on private land and there is no information on the containment. The cause remains undetermined.
The Hughes Fire which spanned 10,000 acres was more than halfway contained on Jan. 25, and all mandatory evacuation orders were lifted.
The Genasys Protect offers a way for communities to stay updated on wildfire updates not only for California, but the entire country.
Sports reporter Joslyn Cole can be reached at jcole@dailyegyptian.com. To stay up to date on all your southern Illinois news, be sure to follow The Daily Egyptian on Facebook.
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