Residents of Pacific Palisades, an upscale Los Angeles neighborhood, faced emotional scenes Thursday as they returned to charred remains of homes and businesses following devastating wildfires. Many described the area as \"unrecognizable,\" with cherished landmarks reduced to ash under hazy skies.
\"It’s like a nightmare you can’t wake up from,\" said local baker Maria Gonzalez, standing where her family-owned shop once operated for 15 years. Firefighters continue monitoring hotspots while community groups organize donation drives for displaced families.
Climate scientists note this disaster adds to California’s record-breaking wildfire season, with 2024 already seeing double the average burned acreage for this time of year. CGTN’s Ediz Tiyansan reports emergency shelters are at capacity, prompting calls for statewide support.
As cleanup begins, neighbors are rallying with a #PalisadesStrong social media campaign. \"We’ll rebuild,\" said high school student Amir Khan, \"but right now, we just need hugs.\"
Reference(s):
cgtn.com