Written By: Captain Arthur Figueroa
Los Angeles Fire Department Station 37, Westwood, Los Angeles, and a member of Greenville ARP in Greenville, SC
On January 7th, 2025, at 10:30 am PST, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the Palisades fire on the western border of the city of Los Angeles extending out towards the Malibu beach area. During the response to the starting location of the fire, it was evident that this would be one of, if not the most, destructive incidents I have ever been part of.
We encountered several challenges during the firefight, which continues today, 15 days later. We were met with evacuation issues, severe wind events, and even unexpectedly limited water supply.
I have worked with the city of Los Angeles for 17 years, 6 of which have been in this area of the city. I have done school demonstrations as both an Engineer and Captain at the local elementary schools and even watched many children walk home from these schools. I have attended high school football games while on duty to support the tight-knit community athletic programs. I have responded to numerous structure fires, physical rescues, traffic accidents, lost hikers, and performed CPR on many individuals in this area.
It is heartbreaking to see what has happened to this community. Several churches, schools, homes, supermarkets, and apartment buildings are no longer there. For the near future children will not be walking home from school, families will not be shopping for groceries, and churches will not be in service. The lives of these families are forever changed. It is very difficult to describe the magnitude of destruction that these families have encountered.
The terms “Apocalypse,” Sodom and Gomorrah,” “Wrath of God,” and “End Times” are often thrown around when seeing what has happened. This has opened an opportunity for me to share the Word of God with the many people I come across. We know that God is in control and all things will work towards His Glory. This is a very difficult concept for many, even some believers, to comprehend. But as followers of the Lord, we must trust what the Bible says and this gives us hope for all things that happen. The words in the Bible give us strength, endurance, and perseverance and the affected individuals need that now more than ever. Please pray for God’s comforting word to spread throughout the City of Los Angeles and not return void.
The Good Samaritan Fund has been set up with an online giving link for California Fire Disaster Relief. You may click here to give online or mail a check to the ARP Center, 918 S. Pleasantburg Dr., Ste. 127, Greenville, SC 29607. Be sure to include CA fires in the memo.