How to Support Yourself or Someone Else Who’s Been Affected by the LA Fires
Los Angeles, California has been reeling from the devastating impact of multiple wildfires since the morning of January 7th, with many areas still burning more than a week later. As of Tuesday, January 21, the two deadliest fires, Palisades (currently at 23,713 acres) and Eaton (currently at 14,021 acres), are 63% and 89% contained, respectively. According to NBC News, the fires have claimed the lives of 27 people and destroyed over 12,000 structures. While containment efforts are underway, the sheer scale of devastation has left many without shelter and deeply affected the mental health of many LA-area residents.Santa Monica resident, Vanessa Powell, recalls the terrifying moment she received her evacuation notice. “Everything felt so apocalyptic. Winds were beyond anything I’d ever seen, neighbors were spraying water on their homes with hoses, there was no power, cars were driving in the opposite direction, and…