Dante’s Inferno – The Eaton and Palisades Fires
The image of thick billowing ashen smoke, accompanied by sounds resembling riveting gunshots, an altered skyline of a deep orange colour, and a smouldering fire: menacing, ruthless and determined, consuming everything and everyone in its path: trees, buildings, resorts, businesses, fire stations, with an astounding devastation!
A House is not just an investment, it’s your home, your safeplace, your shelter. It’s a place where priceless memories are made. A lot of sacrifice is often made to get it all put together. Style preferences differ, monumental effort often goes into decorating it. Some go to the extent of hiring interior decor experts. Or other times, it could be a family affair, everyone brings their idea on board, to make it happen. It becomes a home: where dreams take seed, are watered, and nurtured. A house could serve as the place where we have a mini office, the kitchen becomes a haven where traditional and exotic meals are made, and a venue for wedding receptions. In certain homes, everyone has their own safe place. And there are communal spaces where love resides and buds and blooms. When all this has been raised down, special memories are all gone. From a homeowner to homeless in a blink.
The devastation looked like an apocalypse. Varied theories were going around: was this a case of Sodom and Gomorrah. Or it was Dante’s Inferno?
6th to 31st January 2025 saw one of the most devastating fires ever experienced in the world. Gusts of Santa Ana Winds of over 70 – 100 MPH (miles per hour) originating from the Mojave Desert caused wild fires in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena and Eaton in Southern California. These winds originate from cool, dry high-pressure air masses in the Great Basin, a vast desert region in the southwestern US. They are characterized by very low humidities; hot, dry, and gusty winds which together with high wind speeds provide critical fire weather conditions for destructive wildfires. The Eaton fire is reported to have destroyed approximately 9400 structures and 17 lives, whiles the Palisades fires destroyed over 6500 and at least 8 lives. Homes were destroyed including those belonging to Hollywood Celebrities: Meryl Streep, Mel Gibson, Tyra Banks, Marketing Executive and RHOBH star Bozoma St John, Hilton Hotel Heiress Paris Hilton and many others.
Kudos to the brave ‘firemen’ who risked their lives to contain these fires
Residents are still grappling with rebuilding efforts while some of the Californian Authorities have been sued for negligence. Wishing all the residents light, strength and courage.
