Heroic deeds in Los Angeles: gratitude Amidst the devastating infernos

Heroic deeds in Los Angeles: gratitude Amidst the devastating infernos

in Altadena, California, biting smoke enveloped the sky, while Gail observed how the flames of the raging Eaton fire devoured her neighbor's house. Any spark that was worn by mighty gusts of wind could set fire to the domestic refuge in which she has lived for a decade - and everything she can do is watch.

Although she chose 911 several times, Gail says to CNN: "Obviously you are very busy." In Los Angeles, several fires rage, the entire district devastated and overuse the fire brigade's resources. At least five people have died and several others have carried away "serious injuries" according to the authorities.

Community help in the need

When the flames reached Gails property and burned down their garage, their neighbors hurried to help. "I don't know who all of these people are trying to save my house, but I'm very grateful to them," she says. Voluntary handles for water hoses and tried desperately to keep the flames at bay by steaming gails roof and garden. But when the wind turns, reality becomes more bitter.

"I'm glad that it is still standing at the moment, but I don't have much hope," she admits. The forest fires in Los Angeles County burned thousands of Acres within just a little more than a day, with the fire near Altadena growing four times in a few hours. In the West, the Palisades fire is already one of the most destructive fire in the history of California-and so far it has not been contained.

heroism of the firefighters

Despite the raging fire, heroism stories appear. Thousands of firefighters and first aiders are working to contain the flames and evacuate the residents - even if their own houses rise in flames. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna reported that several of his employees lost their home. His deputy had to evacuate the sheriff office in Altadena at night, as he announced at a press conference on Wednesday. As they fled, residents ran from different directions to them and asked for help to get out of their buildings.

"You could hardly get people out in time before the buildings were on fire," said Luna. Some firefighters and first aiders work around the clock under extreme conditions, heat and dense smoke to fight the flames.

determination and support

"The firefighters here on the front are exhausted. You can see it in their eyes, but they won't go away here until they have a replacement," said Brent Pascua, a Battalion Chief from Cal Fire, on Wednesday to CNN. While the fires rage in Los Angeles County and Hollywood gauger mobilized to support the extinguishing work.

"This is a tragic time in the history of Los Angeles, but also a time when we are really tested and see who we really are," said Jim McDonnell, chief of police at Los Angeles, at a press conference on Wednesday morning.

untrue wind conditions and evacuation measures

The infernos were fought by strong gusts of wind of up to 160 kilometers per hour, the flights on the ground were held and temporarily interrupted any attempts at extinguishing from the air. Some firefighters had to get to safety in their vehicles in front of the flames when the wind became stronger. "The winds were like nothing that I have ever seen before. Firefighters, police officers and Deputys sought shelter in their vehicles in order not to be injured by the fire," said McDonnell.

"They stayed there until she could get out of the car again and could do her work." While the Eaton advanced fire to houses, police officers went from door to door to evacuate people, including older people and people with mobility restrictions, the authorities reported on Wednesday. "You have saved many, many lives in the last 22 hours," said Miguel Marquez, city manager of Pasadena, at a press conference. "Your efforts were heroic."

Kristin Crowley, fire chief of Los Angeles, reported that the fire brigade processed over 3,600 emergency calls within 24 hours - more than twice as many as on an average day.