Recent wildfires in Los Angeles have caused devastation across Southern California, affecting thousands of families, including those of University of Miami (UM) students. The fires, which erupted during the last week of winter break, forced many UM students to face evacuation and destruction of their homes. In response, the University has stepped up to provide support to students from the region, offering assistance and understanding during this difficult time.
Vice President for Student Affairs and Alumni Engagement, Patricia A. Whitely, reached out to students from Los Angeles and Orange County to express the University’s sympathy and offer help. In her message, Whitely acknowledged the seriousness of the wildfires, offering the school’s support to those impacted by the crisis.
“As we watch the devastation caused by the wildfires in Los Angeles, I want to ensure you know that we are here for you,” Whitely said in her message. “Our experiences with extreme weather make it all too familiar how destructive impacts and the aftermath can affect a community.”
One student, Jake Baum, a junior studying broadcast journalism, shared his personal experience of being affected by the fires. He recalled having to evacuate his home in Calabasas, an area heavily impacted by the fires. Baum’s family had evacuated several times in the past due to wildfires, including during the Woolsey Fires in 2018.
The Pacific Palisades Fire, which started on January 7 in northwestern Los Angeles, spread rapidly, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds. The fire quickly consumed over 23,700 acres, forcing thousands to flee their homes.
Baum’s family was fortunate enough to escape safely, but he expressed concern for others who weren’t as lucky. “We were lucky he had a place to go, and know that not everyone is as fortunate as we were,” he said, reflecting on the difficult situation his family faced.
Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire, which spread through Pasadena and Altadena, along with other fires in Hollywood Hills and the San Fernando Valley, caused additional evacuations throughout the region. The destruction and devastation were widespread, with thousands of homes lost and people displaced.
Jensen Ring, a junior from Manhattan Beach, also shared his thoughts on the fires as he was returning to Miami for the spring semester. “It’s very devastating to see what Los Angeles has been going through,” said Ring. “As I was taking off from LAX, you couldn’t even see anything on one side of the plane due to all the smoke in the air.”
The fires have burned over 15,000 structures, leaving thousands of people without homes. For students like Ring, who weren’t directly affected but saw the destruction unfold, the situation has been heartbreaking. “I want to thank all the brave men and women who have been combating the fires across the city,” Ring added. “This is something that we can’t get numb to, and I hope that we can all continue to keep the families who have lost their lives and homes in our prayers.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as soon as the fire ignited, dispatching over 15,000 firefighting personnel to combat the flames. The response has been significant, but the fires have continued to burn uncontrollably in many areas.
Victor Jaimes, a sophomore at UM studying mathematics, initially didn’t realize the scale of the fires. “When I heard about the fires, I thought they were just like the regular fires California gets a lot of, so I didn’t think too much of it,” Jaimes shared. “But then I started seeing pictures in New York Times notifications and social media, and it was just insane how close to LA the fires were.”
Jaimes, who was particularly impacted by the fires’ proximity to famous landmarks like the Hollywood sign, shared the emotional toll the disaster has had on those witnessing it. “It was really sad seeing all the burnt houses, and then seeing videos of people returning to where their houses used to be and seeing nothing,” he said.
As the fires raged on, nearly 200,000 people were under evacuation orders, and firefighting crews worked tirelessly to control the flames. Whitely emphasized the University’s commitment to helping students affected by the fires. “With the ongoing impacts of a natural disaster, it is impossible to know how your life may have been interrupted or impacted,” she said. “Please know we will do our best to assist students whose families have been significantly impacted.”
In the wake of the devastating wildfires, the University of Miami’s response reflects a compassionate effort to ensure that all affected students are supported during this challenging time.
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