History making fire shatters lives and homes
I was rolling down Interstate-5 cruising about 70 mpg, after a recent visit with some family and friends of distinction in Livermore, California. Like most people, after a trip long or short I’m always happy to get home. It was just 10- minutes away from my front door.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Writer
I was rolling down Interstate-5 cruising about 70 mpg, after a recent visit with some family and friends of distinction in Livermore, California. Like most people, after a trip long or short I’m always happy to get home. It was just 10- minutes away from my front door.
I-5 had little traffic most of the 4.5-hour drive.
I rounded a ben just outside of the San Fernando Valley and there it was. Mega Cloud of smoke bigger than big. It stretched for miles across both sides of the freeway. In the corner was a darker cloud of smoke ballooning up and down slowly. I would learn later it was the Eaton fire ravaging it way through the Altadena Area of So Cal.
The Eaton fire has destroyed more than 7,000 structures (at press time) in this diverse community making it one of the most savage firestorms in Los Angeles County’s history. Unfortunately the numbers are rising. Wildfires are a fact of life here in So Cal – but nothing prepared people for destruction on this scale.
“This is unreal, Oh my god. My house,” said Zaire Calvin. He and his family have called Altadena home for three generations. He and hey spoke with Bill Whitaker of 60 minutes.
“I just- Just wonder if anything’s left. The– the rocking chair for the baby. (crying) I literally just built all of this,”
Calvin, a high school football coach, has lived on this block his whole life. He’s seen a number of wildfires flare up in the foothills, but never in his 47 years had he seen anything like this.
Still shots taken in Altadena off of Woodbury Rd and Glenrose Ave. in Altadena (Photo: Sara Madina)
“ It was like a hurricane, just fire, no water,” said son Jamire. “With like 80 miles an hour plus. It felt surreal.”
Another neighbor -Tony Richards lost his home 45 years. “I can’t believe I lost my home said Richards. ”I’m going to close this gate and get out of her, I am so damn mad.”
Los Angeles fire crews maxed out, assistance comes from outside county and state.
As three wildfires burn in Los Angeles County with the Palisades, Eton and Hurst Fire have burned a combined 38,600 acres. At least 24 people have died in the Eaton and Palisades fires, according to the latest update from the LA County Medical Examiner. There are 23 people who have been reported missing, (at press time) according to officials.
Out-of-state and outside county assistance continues to roll in as local fire personnel and resources are maxed out. There are firefighters from nine states including: Oregon, Washington State, Utah, Nevada and Arizona.
The Fremont Fire Department was part of a team of firefighters from Alameda County, Oakland, and Hayward that were deployed as part of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES). There are also firefighters coming in from Mexico and Canada.
At one news conference, Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said all 29 county fire departments are at “a drawdown, with no fire apparatus or additional personnel to spare.”
Similarly, the Los Angeles Fire Department put out notice of a “recall operation,” asking all off-duty crews to report their availability to assist in firefighting — the first time in 19 years the department has had to turn to this protocol.
Chief Marrone broke down how big it would be to stop the race ”I believe there was about 8,000 structures lost. For each structure it would take three fire engines to save it. So go 8 times 3 . that’s 24,000 firetrucks. There is not 24 thousand firetrucks in California.
“Los Angeles County firefighters will remain on the front lines until we reach full containment, and we ask that you keep Los Angeles County in your thoughts and prayers,” Marrone added.
