Los Angeles is never quiet. The county has about 10 million people. Less than half of them speak English at home. There are so many races and religions that not everyone sleeps in on the same holidays. We have 80 school districts, accommodating everything from Jewish High Holy Days to Asian Lunar New Year.
LA County was designed to include many mini-cities, connected by the Pacific Red Car. But since car and oil companies have spent over a century working against public transportation, we’re now mainly connected by freeways. The LA-centric Valentine’s Day card reads: “I love you so much I’d take the 134 to the 101 to the 405 to the 10 for you.* (*Excluding rush hour.)”
The immensity of Los Angeles is hard to explain to non-residents. Until you’ve spent 20 minutes descending over the lights before a night landing at LAX, you probably can’t fully comprehend that LA County is geographically larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined, and just a little smaller than Connecticut. It has more people than 40 states in the U.S.
Even during the early days of COVID, LA wasn’t quiet. In fact, I ran into more folks than usual when walking my dog early in the morning.
Which made last week eerie.
Los Angeles was quiet. There were mornings where Tankie and I saw no one as we walked through our neighborhood.
All we saw were red skies. Falling ash. And smoke.
And yes, of course I was wearing a KN95.
The air quality improved dramatically over the weekend in our area. Sunday morning I woke up to a “good” air quality rating, with minimal particulates.
The sun was shining, the sky was blue. From our hillside in southwestern Los Angeles county, I couldn’t see any smoke.
And yet it was still so, so quiet.
Because everything was canceled. And no, not in the way the MAGA meatheads scream about, which is actually consequences for celebrities being misogynistic, racist, or transphobic.
Local events were canceled. All youth sports were canceled. Grammy events were canceled. Premieres were canceled. The announcement of Oscar nominations was postponed.
Everyone stayed home—unless they were a first responder (including incarcerated firefighters, who you can support here), an animal rescuer, a reporter, or an asshole content creator flying drones into Quebec water bombers.
We spent the week glued to the news, social media, and the literally life-saving new app called Watch Duty, sifting through an INSANE amount of disinformation lies as we tried to figure out what was happening.
And then figured out how we could help.
While also answering calls and texts from every single out-of-state friend and family member who couldn’t remember our address or use Google maps to discern how far away we were from the fires.
I have an enormous family. They are also a very smart family. And yet most of them still checked, individually, to make sure I was nowhere near the fires. It was an absolutely heart-warming pain in the ass.
As I explained to them, I am okay. Physically. Mentally, like every other Angeleno, I am a mess. I am one “Their dog survived the fire!” reel away from tears at all times. I am also one fucking MAGA misinformation meme about how the Black woman mayor of Los Angeles CITY (not the county) is somehow personally responsible for draining the reservoirs of all the surrounding cities from throwing my phone at any house flying a Trump flag.
I am constantly, easily distracted. I started this post 6 days ago. I lost the original draft because I hadn’t saved it when it was “Document 1” and my computer updated overnight. Since then, I’ve managed maybe a paragraph a day.
Like everyone else in SoCal, I deal with a lot of ash. While the air quality has improved, the dirt blown by the initial winds and subsequent fires’ ashfall will continue to cover our streets and sidewalks until it rains. If it rains.
Right now, it looks like even our normally rainy February might be dry.
But thanks to fire crews and trucks from all over California, Oregon, and Utah, the Palisades and Eaton fires are gradually being contained. New fires have been put out. Help and support have come from all over the world.
Thanks for making me cry some more, all you kindhearted jerks.
Seriously, though, I appreciate all those who cared, worried, and donated. Which is pretty much everyone except Donald Dickhead Trump and the Californian Republicans who ditched their burning state to go kiss his ass at Mar-a-Lago.
Oh, and billionaire Elon Musk? Keep your incredibly generous donation of 3 rust-prone, rolling dumpsters cybertrucks—supposedly earmarked for one sheriff’s station that lost power.
Teamsters and locals are handling these issues much faster.
For those wanting to help, the best way is to donate to the organizations doing good work on the ground here: World Kitchen, the California Wildfire & Disaster Relief Fund, the Pasadena Humane Society, and the Sante D’ Oro Rescue Group.
Here are two of my favorite nonprofit groups that are rescuing and moving animals from LA to help our local shelters make more room: Best Friends, Dogwood Animal Rescue.
Other ways you can help? Stand up for legislators who stand up against fossil fuels.
Clap back against disinformation.
And never stop caring.
My bad, I had no idea you lived so close to this tragedy. If I did, I would have been one of those annoying people checking in. The scope of the fires is mind boggling and I can’t even imagine the horror your community and neighbors are experiencing. The misinformation and laissez fair attitude of those on the right is beyond maddening. Petty grievances and partisan politics shouldn’t enter into it when people have lost everything.
Well, it would probably take longer for us to get to Pacific Palisades than to drive across Rhode Island, but yeah, it’s only about 15 miles away. People from California can’t get over how fast folks in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast can drive from state to state. And elementary school kids, especially, get frustrated by trying to figure out “where all the tiny little states are.” But I did think it was funny that even the siblings who’ve flown into LAX and visited would rather call than consult google maps. Not that I minded, especially when some of them offered us places to stay if necessary.
The misinformation is rampant and maddening. But it has been heartening to watch every firefighter in the country push back against the bullshit and explain that nothing and no one can stop a fire that travels the length of a football field in seconds.
I think the pettiness is the most upsetting thing. Until this century, every elected MOC and President accepted that they had a responsibility to the people in every state and every city. Now, it’s only Democratic leaders who appear to want to serve Americans equally during disasters, regardless of political affiliation.
The fact that our soon be sworn in president refers to your governor as Newscum says it all. He’s not fit to govern a schoolyard no less a country. I fear for our nation.
His incompetence is our only hope.
My heart goes out to everyone in California. I can’t watch the news reports without crying. So much tragedy. For perspective, I live on the east coast and we rarely have wildfires here. Can’t imagine it. People who truly care put their money where they mouth is. ‘Nuf said.
Thanks, Kate. I don’t know how anyone can watch any coverage without crying. Or wanting to help. It is devastating.Thanks for promoting the Pasadena Humane Society on your blog.
I didn’t know about the World Food Kitchen at that point and the Red Cross is always a reliable standby if people are wary of being scammed. I tend to donate to the animal charities as they get less attention and $$.
I think the Pasadena Humane Society has gotten a tremendous amount of money. They, like the Red Cross and other aid organizations, are actually turning away volunteers. Thousands of Angelenos trying to volunteer and all the slots are taken.
That’s good news (I think).
it is. And all their volunteer slots are filled.
Oh honey… FWIW this post summarizes everything about this godsawful situation better than anything else I’ve read. Can’t even imagine how you get through this. Sending much love and hugs (and sharing rage and bitterness) from the east coast.
Thanks, Vicki. It’s somewhat surreal in the City of Angeles right now. And while conservatives love to hate on California and Los Angeles, the love and support from the rest of the world is very heartening. Hugs back at you.
Donation made. I did my undergraduate work in Claremont CA and remember some fires, but nothing like the scope of what you’re dealing with. I hope they are able to continue to make progress in containing all of it. Unimaginable.
Thank you! You went to one of the five Claremont Colleges? That’s awesome. They are all very beautiful, and yes, the foothills out there are very prone to fires. They had one in the foothills in August-September. So far they are okay this year.
Yup, I went to Scripps for my undergraduate degree. That was many decades ago, and they were still transitioning from being a finishing school for what was then the Claremont’s Men’s College, and it wasn’t quite my cup of tea but I made it through!
Well done, you! Scripps is probably the most beautiful campus (but don’t tell my niece at Harvey Mudd I said that).
Mums the word!
My gosh, I’m so sorry. It is very scary. I’m too south to be experiencing this one, but I can still remember the fear I felt when there were fires all around us down here, cutting off any evacuation route we might need unless we got on a boat on the ocean. The ash, the haze, the smoke in the distance. I’d never been so stressed out and afraid. It is no fun at all. I feel for you.
It is terrifying, isn’t it? Living so close to the coast, we usually have strong onshore winds. But during the Santa Anas, the air goes still in our area. Which is safer, but unsettling. And like you, we think about how fast we could get to the ocean if there were fires all around us. Like the folks in Lahaina.
I think I was maybe very slightly annoying, but it’s only because I care! The closest experience I can recall is the days following 9/11, when all air travel was cancelled. I worked on Airport Way in Portland, and never realized how noisy all the jets flying overhead were until they were no longer flying overhead.
I’m curious how and why you ended up living in L.A. I know you’re originally from back east.
Don’t worry, you were not annoying! I really was touched by everyone who reached out, whether it was through FB, Threads, Instagram, text, or by phone. Yeah, I lived near LAX during 9/11, and it did get very, very quiet. Which meant that the only planes we heard taking off we very, very loud–and we knew they were all the urban search and rescue teams being deployed. Which really just made you cry more.
I came out here for college. Film School and screenwriting, actually.
Ahh, interesting! That makes you a living example of the California dream. Can you ever see yourself living anywhere else?
The older I get, the harder it is to imagine living elsewhere. Partly because of putting down roots, but also because we have women’s rights and a decent minimum wage here.
But sometimes, I really miss the seasons. And trees.
And sometimes I think of Wisconsin cheese!
I’m glad you’re safe but hearing about what is happening in SoCal and LA is heart wrenching. I made my donation to the orgs you posted (thanks for doing that, sometimes I’m not sure what reputable orgs to donate to), and will probably do a couple more before the day is over.
Speaking of LA being quiet… has traffic died down too?
The photos of 2023 vs 2024 is quite sobering. Sigh. I hope this doesn’t become a trend.
And man, I am a coward and have holed myself away from hearing anything about right wing media, but I did hear some snippets from trump about the fire… Unbelievable. I hope we survive the next 4 years.
Hey, sometimes you gotta hole up in order to protect your mental health. Especially starting on Monday. It is really, really difficult to listen to Senate hearings on the cabinet, for example.
Thank you for donating! So much appreciation for everyone. Imagine me sending a finger heart back at you.
Traffic is definitely lighter. Lots of folks working remotely, especially everyone on the westside. The 405 has been shockingly empty compared to usual, although its picking up again.
Thank you for this post. I’ve been worrying about you, even though I saw your announcement earlier saying you were safe. I knew LA county was big, but I didn’t know it was almost as big as Connecticut.
The dry brush and the hurricane force winds make this so frightening. A few years ago after a large forest fire, we stayed in a B&B in Leavenworth in the Cascade Mts. Our hostess pointed to two mts. on opposite sides of the road and miles apart. She swore she saw the fire seemingly leap through the air from one mt. to the other. That’s how scary a large fire can be. I never imagined one, though, in a populated area like LA County.
The winds can really carry the embers. More than one firefighter has tried to explain that there’s no way to stop a fire in such strong winds. Air support can’t fly. So now we just wait and hope we don’t get another wind event before we get rain.
On top of everything else, I am shocked to learn that LA County has 3 million more people than the entire state of Maryland. (I googled it after reading this.) Thanks for the update and thinking of you and everyone in LA 🙂
We’re a lot. But the great thing about having a large population? SO many volunteers.
I’ve been thinking about you and if you were okay. Glad to hear you are okay. I guess people check on you because who knows, you may have taken a spontaneous trip somewhere that wasn’t safe at all and didn’t know. You really don’t know which way things will turn and with winds, things travel so fast through the air. Stay safe.
Trust an Australian to understand just how fast wildfires can burn. Here’s hoping both our countries can stay safe as the climate changes.
Thanks for this update and the links to legitimate sources. I’ll admit that we weren’t quite sure where my husband’s aunt lived in LA so called to make sure she was safe. She was/is, but like you she laughed, having come to realize that no one in the family knew exactly where she was in your huge city. What a mess to clean up.
Oh, it’s so true. While I love being able to Google everything and instantaneously figure out where I’ve seen an actor before, or find a map that goes with a book I’m reading, I’ve discovered that most people prefer to call or text.
This is going to take several years to rebuild. I’m glad you and family are safe at home.
Please understand that air is still toxic because of burnt building materials, plastics, etc. So wearing KN95 masks is a good thing outdoors. Keep us posted this yr. We’d rather hear from someone who is actually living near the disaster area.
For a few hours yesterday, rain was in the forecast. But it’s gone again. There’s still so much ash on everything.
Hugs, Ashbough. Take precautions to be healthy.
I’ll admit, when I saw your first photo, I thought “what an amazing sunset!” only to feel an absolute idiot when I realised. The emotions must be *huge* and I’m not surprised that you find yourself quick to tear up. Kindness, courage and exemplary behaviour in the circumstances will do that, especially when it contrasts so strongly with the staggeringly appalling behaviour of those who could and should do more.
I know you know what to do to keep you & yours safe & healthy, but know there are many of us in blog land wishing & hoping that you are all safe & well, and remain so. BTW, my Osteopath says she can recommend an Osteopathic option for lateral meniscus treatment in southern California – let me know if you’d like a recommendation and I’ll get the details from her. The one in my right knee is currently demanding attention and we were discussing her intentions to treat it when I happened to mention your scenario.
It was an amazingly red sunrise, picturesque af. And unusual, because they tend to be more pink and blue in the winter. But it hits different when you’re breathing through a KN95 mask.
And all those things–just people doing the right and compassionate things–definitely cue the waterworks. Especially as we watch the Christo-fascists doing their hardest to dismantle democracy.
My lateral meniscus has improved significantly with a lot of ice, specialized PT, and time. Unfortunately, along the way, I compensated by using my arms and have been battling tennis elbow for months. Seeing the specialist this Friday, though, to hopefully address ongoing soft tissue issues. But very, very kind of you to mention my crappy knee to your own Osteopath!
Not entirely altruistic I have to admit, as I was seeking re-assurance I could continue avoiding surgery, but am delighted to hear that it has improved significantly – long may that continue. I am currently encased in a knee brace. For some idiot reason I keep calling a neck brace and I’m beginning to wonder if it’s my subconscious reframing it to remind me to be grateful it’s my knee and not my neck… Yeah, my subconscious is odd af.
It’s cute that you keep reminding yourself, “at least it’s not my neck!” LOL