In the midst of California’s apocalyptic inferno, a few homes were left unscathed. But there is great concern that the flames will return! This becomes a mental burden for many, reports Melanie Herrmann from Styria, who has lived in Los Angeles since 2013.
The flames have overtaken entire streets and turned them into fields of smoking rubble. But while fires raged everywhere, some villas and houses were spared. Same in Malibu. With wind gusts of up to 140 km/h, the fire swept across the four-lane Pacific Coast Highway and burned beach houses of stars such as Paris Hilton and Mel Gibson for several kilometers. Only a three-story house remained intact.
Owner David Steiner can only explain why: “I insisted on a particularly stable construction – but really only to make it earthquake-proof.” Instead of wood, like many of his neighbors, Steiner’s nine million dollar villa was built of stone with plaster plaster on the inside. Steel beams penetrate deep into the sandy soil to withstand even monster waves. Due to an insurance obligation, he also had the roof covered with a fire-resistant layer. “I intended for my house to be the last one standing in the event of an earthquake,” the 64-year-old lawyer reveals.
Austrian abroad with good news
Photos of Tom Hanks’ villa also quickly made the rounds on the internet. While his neighbors’ homes burned, his property remained untouched by the flames. But what surprises many people is that there are also countless trees in the middle of the ruins. The explanation for this? “Fires cause sparks. And homes with dry materials are more susceptible to this,” says Courtney Peterson, a climate adaptation specialist at Colorado State University. Moreover, trees have adapted. Their water storage protects them from heat damage, as does the thicker bark.
Good news also comes from Melanie Herrmann, an Austrian abroad. “Our community survived the first days of the Palisades fire,” reports the Graz resident, who has lived in West Los Angeles since 2013. Yet the mood is gloomy: “While shopping I heard from people who had lost their homes for the second time in six years. This is deeply shocking.”
The situation also brings back memories of the pandemic. “Schools and banks are closed, there are hardly any people or cars on the streets and many residents, including myself, wear face masks because of the smoke in the air.”
Déjà vu, looters and criticism of the mayor
The comparison is no coincidence. In some fire areas there is a curfew in the evening and at night to combat looters more effectively. Anyone who moves will be arrested. “But we persevere and help each other out,” Herrmann adds. The fear remains. “We know that without rain the risk remains high. Every gust of wind feels like a new danger,” the Styrian describes the mental strain.
The fire in the Palisades is only eight percent contained. 8,742 hectares of land have been destroyed. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley blames the mayor: “The budget was cut by 17 million dollars (about 16.7 million euros). Despite 55 percent more efforts, the number of firefighters decreased.” When a television crew confronted the mayor about this, Karen Bass simply remained silent in front of the cameras.
American star Jennifer Garner is mourning the loss of her friend
Jennifer Garner showed much more emotion. “My heart is bleeding!” The actress tearfully revealed to a TV crew that a friend of hers had died in the flames (see video above) – and that she “almost feels guilty” because her own home was spared.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
