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.\" 🤝❤️
