California is a state prone to droughts, and recently there has been a major shift in the weather patterns.
The state has been experiencing bouts of extreme dryness and extreme wetness for some time now, and just a week into 2025, a catastrophe struck. At its height, 240 wildfires burned throughout southern California, with most of the damage occurring in the Pacific Palisades and Eaton in the greater Los Angeles region.
More than 23,000 acres have been burned, according to CBS. Millions of residents lost their homes and valuable possessions. According to ABC News, 28 people have lost their lives to these fires. As of Jan. 24 nine of the fires are still burning. When I first heard about the fires in Los Angeles, my first thought was of Michael Morello.
Back in 2015, when I was twelve, I’d been cast in a short film he’d directed. I knew he lived in the Los Angeles area, so last week I texted him to find out if he’d been affected by wildfires that are raging in the area.
Morello and his wife had packed some things up in the event they needed to evacuate, but thankfully it never came to that. “I’ve been fortunate that the warning zone only reached 8 blocks from my apartment,” Morello told me from his home in Ocean Park, roughly nine miles from the fires in the Pacific Palisades “However, many of my friends and family were directly impacted. The general consensus is that despite years of experiencing wildfires and the well-known risks, the city has significantly under-invested in fire prevention and mitigation. Budgets have even been cut.”
Morello claims that local governments in both LA and the state of California have provided minimal help. His wife has been volunteering to help those more severely impacted and the amount of loss the people of California have suffered is exponential.
“Many are feeling the devastation of those who lost their homes and pets, along with irreplaceable belongings,” he said.” I believe the most impactful way to help [those in need] is to connect directly with those affected and assess their immediate needs. The least we can do is provide them [those affected] with essential necessities like new socks, toothbrushes, and toiletries, along with much-needed emotional support.”
How You Can Help
By clicking any of these links, you can show your support and donate to those in need on the West Coast. Morello recommends that people donate to The LA Kings Community. This organization is dedicated to supporting Los Angeles families in need. They have stepped up in a major way by creating donation drives and drop-off centers where people can bring clothes, toiletries, and other items.
Project HOPE has its ear to the ground on everything related to the Palisade fires. You can give a one-time donation, or schedule a monthly donation to continue your support throughout the year.
Lastly, The California Fire Foundation is on the frontlines, saving lives and giving back to the community. Check out the amazing work they do by clicking on the link above, and click here to donate.
