In the middle of the devastation caused by the forest fires in the county of Los Angelesthe Latin community has demonstrated a remarkable capacity for organization and solidarity. As reported ABC Newsvarious initiatives led by businesses, organizations and community leaders latinos have emerged to support the thousands of people affected by the accidents. These actions include the collection of donationsthe distribution of essential resources and the provision of food for those who have lost everything.
The fireswhich have forced more than 100,000 people to evacuate their homes, have left a trail of destruction in the region. Until Sunday, January 12, four active fires were reported: Palisades Fire In the Pacific Palisades area, the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena, the Kenneth Fire that affects both Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and the Hurst Fire in Sylmar, northwest of San Fernando.
According to county authorities, only the Palisades Fire has destroyed more than 5,000 structures, while the Eaton Fire has affected or destroyed approximately 7,000. Additionally, at least 16 fire-related deaths are under investigation, and many people have been injured.
With a population of more than 4.8 million people of Hispanic or Latino origin in Los Angeles County, according to the latest United States census, this community has taken a leading role in the emergency response. Corissa Hernández, owner of the Mexican restaurant Native HLP in Highland Park, she was one of the first to perform. Hernandez told ABC News who, after receiving a message from a friend whose house had been consumed by flames, decided to use social networks to call on the community and collect food, water and masks.
What began as an individual effort soon transformed into a broader network of support, thanks to the collaboration of other Latino businesses and organizations. Hernández, who is also a member of the board of directors of the Independent Hospitality Coalitionhighlighted that several restaurants and chefs from this network joined together to connect with shelters and evacuation centers in need of resources.
Among the alliances formed, collaborations with restaurants stand out Guerilla Tacos DTLA and Guelaguetzawhich have served as operations centers for the collection and distribution of donations. “Since then, we have collectively distributed more than 1,500 hot meals to evacuation centers and fire departments, in addition to hundreds of donations,” Hernandez explained. “This has been possible thanks to the collaboration with my network.”
Creativity has also been a key element in relief efforts. As reported ABC Newsseveral local taquerias have offered free tacos to first responders working to contain the fires. On the other hand, Latinx Therapya mental health resource center for Latinos, has organized a network of therapists offering free services to families affected by the fires.
Support is not limited to the local community. The governor of California, Gavin Newsomannounced the arrival of 70 firefighters from Mexico, who have joined the more than 10,000 troops already deployed on the ground. “California is deeply grateful for the support of President Claudia Sheinbaum as we work to contain the fires in Los Angeles,” Newsom said in a message posted on X.
In the neighborhood of Boyle Heightsthe non-profit organization Project Photos implemented a database on its website so fire victims can detail their needs and connect directly with people willing to help. Helen Alonzo Hurtado, the organization’s social enterprise director, explained to ABC News This tool seeks to offer long-term sustainable support.
“Two or three weeks later, when people start settling into temporary housing and realize what they really need, they will be able to use this database to receive help from the community,” said Alonzo Hurtado. Although Project Photos is not an emergency response organization, its motivation to act came from seeing how some of its own members had lost their homes in the Eaton Fire.
Alonzo Hurtado also highlighted the disproportionate impact that the fires have had on latin families and african american working class in areas such as Altadena. “These communities have been home to many families who have managed to build generational wealth, and all that was lost overnight,” he lamented.
The response of the community latin not only reflects his organizational skills, but also a deep sense of solidarity rooted in their culture. “In our culture, we have kermeses, those parties to raise funds for low-income community members, usually for funerals,” explained Alonzo Hurtado. “We are seeing so many people affected, and we are not only mobilizing for the latin communitybut for all the people affected.”
