[Image: Free Malaysia Today]
Firefighters are prepping themselves for the fierce resurgence of the notorious Santa Ana winds, poised to whip up the massive wildfires ravaging Southern California.
As the death toll rises to at least 25, the battle against the flames grows ever more desperate.
By Monday morning, the infernos had already consumed more than 40,000 acres of land. The relentless Palisades fire, spanning over 23,000 acres, remains only 14% contained. Meanwhile, the Eaton fire has scorched more than 14,000 acres across Altadena and Pasadena, with containment efforts progressing to just 33%, The Independent reported.
Amid the chaos, South Africans residing in Los Angeles have shared gut-wrenching stories of the devastation and turmoil, as Cape {town} Etc noted.
South African actor and producer Stelio Savante, a resident of Los Angeles, shared his distress on social media, describing the situation as ‘chaotic, dangerous, desperate, and unpredictable.’
‘The high-force winds will not relent. This situation requires spiritual warfare,’ Savante said, urging others to pray for the safety of those affected.
Entrepreneur and model Sihle Makhanya said she is “traumatised because I saw the fire when it was just starting and saw it grow bigger,” as she explained in an emotional video on TikTok.
She painted a haunting picture of desperation: people fleeing for their lives, some confined to wheelchairs, struggling to outrun the relentless advance of the flames.
Makhanya voiced her exasperation with the dire circumstances, highlighting how grounded flights had left even those with private jets stranded and unable to escape the fiery peril.
She reassured her followers, confirming her safety and commending the unwavering efforts of local police and firefighters. “They’re doing everything they can,” she said, her words a testament to their courage in the face of an overwhelming crisis.
The fires have caused widespread damage, with more than 12,000 structures reported destroyed. These figures include various buildings such as outbuildings and recreational vehicles alongside people’s homes.
According to Jacaranda FM, Saffa actress Christel Smith, best known for her role as Tarien in the famous soapie Egoli, says she has lost everything in the devastating LA fires. According to a Facebook post, Smith’s house was one of the first to burn down.
“Our house was one of the first to burn down. We lost everything. At least I managed to get the cat and the dog out.
“The destruction is surreal. It looks like Armageddon. My child’s school, four other schools in the area, the bank, library, all the shops, and the post office – all gone,” she said.
“Luckily, we were able to save our animals. Our house was cordoned off, and we couldn’t go back yet to see what could be saved. All my ‘Egoli’ memorabilia and photos were burnt.”
Smith has said that she, her son and her husband are now homeless, prompting her brother to set up a GoFundMe account to raise funds for her. According to her sibling, Christel’s home was uninsured due to the area being prone to natural disasters.
The campaign is set to raise $ 14,000 – nearly R300,000 – to help Christel Smith and her family pick up the pieces after the LA fires.
Another South African celebrity, former Miss Universe Margaret Gardiner, has also been affected by the LA fires, sharing her experience on Facebook.
Several celebrities, including Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, Mandy Moore, Mel Gibson, Jhene Aiko, and many more, lost their properties in the tragedy.
SA firefighters have been known to fly out and help in international fires, like the massive ones that ravaged Canada not so long ago. However, they have confirmed that they are not helping in the LA fires right now.
South Africa’s Working on Fire has clarified that it has not been called upon to assist with the fires in Los Angeles, per The South African.
Misleading social media posts suggested that South African firefighters were en route to California but it turns out the posts were of footage from 2023, when the firefighters were deployed to Canada to combat wildfires there.
For South African citizens caught in the chaos, the South African Consulate in Los Angeles, situated on Wilshire Boulevard, has activated a 24-hour emergency hotline to assist with disaster-related needs, from issuing ID documents to replacing passports.
As the fires rage on and tension grips the region, the South African community in Los Angeles stands steadfast in solidarity. They offer unwavering support and heartfelt prayers for the courageous first responders who continue to battle the infernos, risking everything to safeguard lives and property.
[Sources: Cape {town} Etc & Jacaranda FM]