The Los Angeles Fires: What We Can Learn, What We Can Do, How We Can Help

First Selectman John Zagrodzky on Friday published an article about the Los Angeles fires with information about key, useful things for people here to know and do.

Here’s his article, which appeared Friday in the Town of Darien Newsletter:

FROM THE FIRST SELECTMAN

I participated this week in a very informative call about the recent (and unfortunately ongoing) fires in Los Angeles. Some key learnings:

While there were political failures for sure (preparation, hazard mitigation and water availability), the city faced a “perfect storm” of conditions, including strong Santa Ana winds, extremely dry conditions, a microburst of dry, cold air over the area, and plenty of undergrowth for fuel. And they knew this was coming: over 170 fire alerts, which use satellite data to detect fires based on the heat they generate, had been detected in the area as of Jan. 13 – more than 100 times the average for the first three weeks of the year from 2012-2024.

Fires are unique among disasters in that the damage is typically much more concentrated. In these fires, more than 200,000 people have been displaced. But interestingly, in a city of 22 million, many of these people have been “absorbed into the system” and have found refuge with friends, neighbors, shelters, second homes, etc. The number of people with no place to go is far less than one would expect.

A major problem is toxicity created by these fires. Many of the structures pre-dated 1985, and as such were built with hazardous materials. Combined with the also-hazardous contents of these homes, the ash on the ground and blowing around is a significant problem, much like the ash in New York following 9/11. Many residents are being turned away or required to wear protective gear because the health hazard is so great. Experts on the call indicated that it could be a couple of years before these hazards are remediated and rebuilding can start.

Another danger is flooding and mudslides. Los Angeles is about to enter its rainy period, and if there is a lot of rain, dangerous mudslides could result because trees and other vegetation holding hillsides together have been destroyed. In other words, even with the fires out, LA could face other trouble.

I have been asked about how best to help these fire victims. First of all, they don’t need physical goods like clothing. There’s no place for such things to go. What they really need is money. I had a chance to learn about an organization called Team Rubicon (TR), which is an LA-based NGO (non-governmental organization) that recruits, trains and deploys military veterans and first responders for disaster response and humanitarian relief operations. The organization serves communities before, during, and after these events. TR has approximately 15,000 veteran volunteers in Southern California and has been engaged with CA and LA offices of emergency management and co-located in operations center since within hours of initial ignition of the fire. Its teams are actively working with fire, police, and emergency services to safely return homeowners, clear debris, and mitigate the risks of imminent fire-to-flood scenarios. The organization has a Platinum Seal of Transparency on Guidestar. You can support them at TeamRubiconUSA.org.

While it’s far less likely that we will face such fires here where we live, this disaster is a reminder that each of us should take the time to do a fire check-up in our homes or apartments. Are smoke and carbon monoxide detectors working? Chimneys cleaned and in good order? Fire extinguishers working and handy?

I am thankful for all those who support and volunteer in our three Fire Departments — Noroton, Noroton Heights and Darien. These brave men, women, and youths are well trained, well equipped and prepared. We all hope we won’t need their services, but we also know we have the best at the ready if we do. Thank you, all!

Be safe. JZ

— You can subscribe to the Town of Darien Newsletter here.