The fires that have recently hit Los Angeles have left a devastating mark. So far, 24 deaths have been confirmed, and thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes. The flames have destroyed over 7,000 buildings, leaving many people without a place to live. The strong winds, almost reaching hurricane strength, have transformed the city into a scene of chaos. Entire families have been forced to flee with little more than the clothes on their backs, leaving behind everything they knew.
Currently, more than 3,400 firefighters are working hard to control 33% of the affected areas, but the task of rebuilding Los Angeles is just beginning. And in this process, the immigrant community will play a fundamental role.
The Importance of Immigrants in the Reconstruction
In California, 43% of construction workers are immigrants, mostly Mexicans. This group of workers has been key in the recovery of cities after natural disasters, such as Hurricane Harvey in Houston in 2017. In this case, immigrants will be essential to the rebuilding of Los Angeles, but this situation takes place within a complicated context due to the immigration policies of the Trump administration.
Ernesto Castañeda, director of Immigration Lab, says the challenge is great, and without the participation of immigrant workers, the costs of rebuilding could rise significantly. Therefore, Castañeda suggests that it would be useful for the Trump administration to consider offering temporary facilitation for immigrants contributing to the reconstruction of the city.
Political Resistance and Additional Challenges
The reconstruction of Los Angeles also faces political challenges. Daniel Garza, a Republican analyst, points out that there could be resistance to investing resources in leadership that failed to prevent this tragedy. This stance could complicate the rebuilding process even further, which is already a monumental task.
In addition, the Latino community has been especially affected by the fires. Ilan Shapiro, the medical health coordinator at AltaMED in Los Angeles, mentions that the Altadena area, which has a large Hispanic and African American population, has suffered significant losses. Air quality is another major concern, as it is heavily polluted by the smoke from the fires. Shapiro recommends using masks and air purifiers to protect against the harmful effects of the polluted air.
The Disaster and Lessons Learned
Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Daniel Ortiz emphasizes that this disaster has been one of the worst the city has faced in decades. Despite having a team of firefighters, the magnitude of the fire was so great that initial efforts would not have been sufficient to stop it immediately.
“It was a fire of a magnitude we hadn’t seen in this area in a long time,” says Ortiz.
He highlights that the destruction is of a national level and requires an equally large response from the entire country.
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