LA ‘war zone’

LA ‘war zone’

15 January 2025

A FORMER Downpatrick man, now living in California, has described the devastation caused by the Los Angeles wildfires as a “war zone”.

Alaster Rea says whole communities have been destroyed by the raging fires which have claimed at least 24 lives.

An estimated 12,000 buildings have gone up in flames in an area stretching 60 square miles.

More than 90,000 people have been evacuated and there are fears that high winds will result in more fires breaking out.

Mr Rea, who emigrated to America with his family over 30 years ago, says the scale of the destruction is almost impossible to comprehend.

“It’s like driving from Downpatrick to Portrush and there are fires everywhere,” he said.

“Imagine what it would be like to see Crossgar or Saintfield completely on fire.

“Whole towns have been burned out. Houses, shops and businesses, jobs and livelihoods are all gone. What took years to put together has been destroyed.”

Mr Rea says he and his wife, Anita, are safe and well – they live about two hours away from the nearest areas to be affected.

However, six months ago a wildfire broke out close to their home, but nothing on the scale of what is happening at present.

“The fire came to about half a mile from us before it was brought under control, but what we experienced is nothing compared to this,” Mr Rea explained.

“You can’t get away from it. It is total destruction. There is smoke everywhere and the smell is terrible.

“The firefighters are doing a wonderful job, but there are places where they can’t get to. Whole areas are going up in flames and some of the terrain makes controlling the fires very difficult.”

The fires are believed to have been caused by a combination of factors, including tinder dry ground and high winds which have whipped up the flames.

“We have just had our driest year since records began. We’re supposed to get rain at this time of the year, but we haven’t any so everything is bone dry,” Mr Rea said.

“A fire can be brought under control, but then the wind ignites the ashes and off it goes again. It seems like there is no end.”

The fires have been described as one of the worst disasters in US history with some estimates putting the damage at $150 billion.

Those to lose their homes include A-list celebrities and multi-millionaires, while working class areas of Los Angeles have been completely devastated.

Mr Rea said: “Where once there were million-dollar homes on the Pacific coast there is now nothing. Beautiful places are up in flames. In other areas looting is taking place. It is so sad.”

He added: “I have never seen anything like this. It is so hard to comprehend and you can only watch so much of it. This is like a war zone and it is going to take a long time for people to adjust.”