Never in her wildest dreams that longtime Southern Californian Zita Villareal would be scared out of her wits for at least three nights as the Eaton fire rages most of last week.
She and her son Trevor had to always be on the guard in their car as they had to be evacuated from their house of eight years anytime as the inferno-like fire spread rapidly aided largely by dry surrounding and strong winds. It was said that the place did not have rains for at least eight months and that greatly destroyed not just trees in the valley but also the houses in its path, their abode for eight years severely threatened.
In an interview over the phone, Villareal sounded more relaxed and relieved as thirty five percent of the fire were then contained and they have been cleared to go back home. Winds have largely been manageable for large part and electric power restored after being out for three days. Curfew is still enforced then for twelve hours to avoid looting and other untoward incidents but their basic belongings are still ready in case the strong Santa Ana winds are back.
“We are very happy and feel relieved to be back although it is still dusty all over. I have three friends who have lost their houses. One Filipino family that I know of is now looking for an apartment,” shared Villareal adding that she just came from the Santa Anita evacuation center hoping she can help volunteer since many have been donating but what they need now more are volunteer to take care of the items being donated. She had to leave the place though as she is still recovering from body aches after suffering from fall months ago.
“It is during times like these that you realize that we don’t really need many material things in life that we cannot take with us especially in times of emergencies. Only the clothes in your back and important documents are needed and we can bring along,” Villareal stressed.
She recalled that early midnight to Wednesday when she first noticed seeing from her room window that a portion of San Gabriel Mountains (that eventually became part of the Eaton fire) was in flames on fire. At around 3 a.m. the mountain and skies were already orange aided terribly by a hundred miles per hour winds. And then after, at around 5 a.m., there were announcements around the neighborhood from the sheriff’s car warning us to prepare to evacuate and the electric power were already down. Anytime, evacuation orders may become mandatory as the winds were really strong.
“I was dumbfounded feeling numb as I watched the fire from afar going near us and feeling the strong winds that further worsened the conditions making me feel so helpless and in shock watching the fire getting near our place rapidly. suddenly I heard my son Trevor telling me he is going to put one our luggage that we already prepared. It was hard for me to move thinking of what things might happen until my son guided me all this time and was more prepared to react like a true boy scout,” Villareal recalled.
She then was suddenly awoke and gathered the more important things — guitar, jewelry, laptop, her watch, pictures that she had no back up files of, important papers, among others – then took a video of the house in case they will have to file an insurance claim. They then proceeded to the car that they even had to charge in a public charging station.
“Those that were really affected then were Altadena, Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia and our place in Duarte and then Sierra Madre,” Villareal remembered. “I can say that it more dangerous today because the howling winds this time around were with so strong that flew embers all over and the magnitude of the fire today was of a different kind.”
Among the very valuable lessons learned by her family in these fires was that it pays to live a minimalist life as many material things that are in possession now may even become problems in times of emergencies and evacuations.
“Reflecting on what just happened to us in these fires, I now ask myself what really are important? I realized that what are important are my kids, my husband, my siblings, my friends and loved ones aside from myself too,” Villareal cited as what are really needed in life.
She also wished that after these fires, like many more in recent years, government officials and authorities learn a lot and act swiftly and accordingly on the latest trends and practices on proper forest management and maintenance applicable to their places of jurisdictions as preventive measures. It may also help if houses are made of stones, of concrete rather than wood as many are especially if they are rebuilt.
She feels so sorry and sad that three friends and another three acquaintances lost their homes in the fires.
Septuagenarian Kario Lacbu of Koreatown near Hollywood Hills, although not really directly affected by the fires, was hampered by the poor air quality.
“Air quality index reached more than 150 AQI (air quality index) and we were strongly advised to stay indoors. The danger was more on those with comorbidities like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma, and pulmonary medical issues among others. There came a time when the skies were not just orange but totally black that lasted for at least two days,” recalled Lacbu. “Air quality is better now unlike when even the skies are reddish. We now have clearer skies.
He needed to go to work even on Saturdays as they were also short in manpower and he had to stay inside the office and go straight back home because air quality is not good for elders like him.
What most impressed Lacbu was the quick reactions of people to help even as they themselves were victims of the fires.
“The camaraderie, willingness to help, resiliency, care for each other are something we don’t really see among people here but when the needs arise, they are ready to help and be counted on to give whatever they can even if they themselves need to be helped. Distinctions here do not count – rich or middle class, black, white or brown, from whatever minority group, gender or religion you may belong to and cultural background you have – we are all one in this ….we will all overcome these challenges to make Los Angeles rise up from the rubbles and the ashes,” Lacbu is hopeful
