PH Consulate urges Filipinos to heed warnings amid wildfires
 
 
 
 
 
 

PH Consulate urges Filipinos to heed warnings amid LA wildfires, offers assistance

Fires continue to spread in LA County, destroying homes and forcing thousands to evacuate
/ 01:25 PM January 08, 2025

Wildfires Los Angeles

The Eaton Fire burns a structure Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

LOS ANGELES – The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles has issued an advisory warning Filipinos in Southern California about the “increased risk of fire danger” and urging them “to take safety precautions” as wildfires in LA County continue to spread, destroying homes and forcing thousands to evacuate.

The advisory reminds Filipino residents in LA and the counties of Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino and San Diego that red flag warnings are in effect in those areas until Jan. 9 and urges them to heed evacuation warnings by local officials.

“A red flag warning signifies an increased risk of fire danger due to the combination of warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds,” the Consulate’s advisory said. “The public is thus advised to use extreme caution with any potential ignition to prevent dangerous wildfires.”

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The advisory was issued following reports of a high number of significant injuries to residents who refused to evacuate their homes.

wildfires los angeles

A man walks in front of the burning Altadena Community Church, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

The Consulate has encouraged Filipinos in the region to monitor developments at www.weather.gov and www.readyforwildfire.org.

Filipino nationals requiring the Consulate’s assistance may call (323) 528-1528.

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Philippine Consulate LA advisory

LA County is home to more than 300,000 Filipinos and 400,000 reside in other Southern California counties, according to the 2020 Census.

Four wildfires are raging in LA County, including the Pacific Palisades and Sylmar neighborhoods of Los Angeles and another near the City of Pasadena.

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wildfires los angeles

Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire as it burns structures in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia)

As of Wednesday afternoon, the fires are zero percent contained, according to authorities.

A fifth was burning across Tyler, California, but has now been contained.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency and President Biden has said he will sign a federal emergency declaration as well.

Biden and Newsom

President Joe Biden delivers remarks regarding the ongoing wildfires impacting Southern California alongside California Gov. Gavin Newsom at Santa Monica Fire Department Station 5 in Santa Monica, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

“I am being frequently briefed on the wildfires in west Los Angeles,” the president said in a statement.

“My team and I are in touch with state and local officials, and I have offered any federal assistance that is needed to help suppress the terrible Pacific Palisades fire.”

The Palisades Fire was burning nearly 3,000 acres between the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu.

LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley told reporters Tuesday afternoon that roughly 30,000 people were under evacuation orders, with the fire endangering roughly 13,200 structures, including 10,300 homes.

That evacuation area was dramatically expanded Tuesday night, stretching east to Kenter Avenue and north to Mulholland Road, still reaching west to Topanga Canyon Boulevard and south to PCH. It was unknown how many additional people were impacted by the expanded evacuation zone.

The Hurst Fire in Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley northwest of downtown Los Angeles has rapidly expanded to 700 acres Wednesday with no reported containment, prompting evacuations.

“We’re facing a historic natural disaster. And I think that can’t be stated strong enough,” said Kevin McGowan, director of emergency management for Los Angeles County.

There were a “high number of significant injuries to residents who did not evacuate, in addition to first responders who were on the fire lines,” he said.

Red flag parking restrictions

Red flag parking restrictions will remain in effect in the city of Los Angeles until at least Friday morning due to the continuing wind conditions and raging wildfires.

The parking restriction will remain in effect until at 8 a.m. Friday, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The parking restrictions are enforced to ensure faster response times to fast-moving brush fires, and to help keep streets clear for people forced to evacuate their homes.

Vehicles illegally parked in areas within the “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones” will be towed, authorities said. Drivers were reminded to look for “Red Flag Days” no-parking signs to ensure compliance.

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