California has been fighting a tragic wave of fires for almost a week. According to CNN, the total area burned by the fire is approximately 15,600 hectares and is larger than the capital of France. The element leaves ashes behind. In pain-stricken California, collections of aid for the victims have begun. Polish women Sylwia Knutel and Alicja Bachleda-Curuś tell us about the situation on the ground.
A wave of catastrophic wildfires broke out in California last Tuesday. Currently, firefighters from several US states, as well as from Mexico and Canada, are fighting three fire outbreaks: Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire and Hurst Fire, which have consumed approximately 15,632 hectares of land. Local authorities reported that the element has so far destroyed over 12,300 buildings. 24 people died.
– It looks like something out of a movie, like I was on a movie set. I never thought that something like this would happen to us here, says Mrs. Sylwia Knutel, who has been living in this region for 10 years, in an interview with TVN24.
“Then it's just escape”
Due to the threat to life, approximately 100,000 people were evacuated. Among the people who had to leave their homes was the famous Polish actress Alicja Bachleda Curuś.
– The first instinct was that when there was a fire nearby (a fire – editor's note), it was to sprinkle the grass, the garden, the house. But then it's just an escape, because you know that in such a situation you won't be able to defeat the elements – the Polish actress described on TVN24.
Alicja Bachleda-Curuś also said that in some places there was no water to extinguish the fire.
– If we're talking about Palisades, there was no water, this is confirmed by the fire department. However, there was water in my area […] Everyone here is a firefighter, especially since the fire brigade has so much on its plate that we try to relieve it and control each other and our homes. We had neighbors who were so wonderful that they drove by and did a patrol against thefts – added Bachleda-Curuś.
“A lot of my friends have nowhere to go”
The actress decided to organize help for other people affected by the fire.
– My friends and their acquaintances lost their homes, their entire lives, in fact […] A large part of my friends and their friends have nowhere to go and that's why [potrzebne są – przyp. -red.] money, donations, gifts – added Bachleda-Curuś.
The aid campaign is also led by Mrs. Sylwia Knutel.
– We know about six families […] These are families who have small children, so we especially collect clothes for these children, toys and books. The kids have nothing, and so do the parents, Knutel said.
Help is also provided on the Internet, on crowdfunding platforms.
Interview with Sylwia Knutel
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/ALLISON DINNER