Wildfires in LA Claim Five Lives; Belizeans in the Diaspora on Edge

Fierce wildfires raging out of control in the Los Angeles area have tragically claimed five lives and forced nearly two hundred thousand people to flee their homes. Firefighters are battling to contain the blazes, which continue to spiral out of control. Thankfully, Belizeans in the area have remained safe, but they’re keeping a close watch on the situation. Today, two Belizeans living in the diaspora joined us on Open Your Eyes to share what they’re witnessing on the ground.

 

Belizean Living in LA #1

“Central LA and Los Angeles is close-knit when it comes to the Belizean community. We’re the largest Caribbean community here. So everybody’s attention is on this, you know. Everybody wishing the best for everybody because a lot of friends, family, loved ones affected directly with this. Never, never had this happened here before, you know.”

 

Belizean Living in LA #2

“I’m in the Gardenia area at the moment. I work at UCLA, which is in Westwood, which is closer to the Palisades area, and so because of that we just got word late last night that UCLA canceled classes for undergraduate students and for grad students, they’re going to go remote. For us, we’re going to be working remote also the next two days just for our safety. For anything can happen. It’s moving pretty quickly and so until they can contain it, that’s where we stand. And it’s very devastating. You know, I could speak from my experience with UCLA that students are displaced. I got word late last night and some images from one of my cousins. He was being picked up by his mom and the parking lot – this is after 11 pm – the parking lot was packed. And that’s because a lot of parents and families are picking up their kids, their loved ones and taking them home probably for the weekend just to be safe.”