Two wildfires became some of the most destructive in state history as mph Santa Ana winds whipped them into massive, flaming waves that rushed downhill and broke over sleeping towns on the night of January 7.
Firefighters in Pacific Palisades recounted the weary weeks of battling the deadly blaze. As evacuation alarms roused residents, firefighters fought the erratic, blazing gusts with all their strengthβ¦until the water gave out. Then, they fought to survive.
As firefighters recounted the night to Edward Graham during his visit to Pacific Palisades, their eyes were tired and expressions haunted. Through his past career as an Army Ranger, Graham has a sense for what these battle-worn firefighters are going through. Robert Bates center , a member of Firefighters for Christ, introduces Edward Graham to firefighters at a local station. It was a beautiful town around that fire station, and to just watch everything, degrees, being decimated by fire.
I was in disbelief. Passing lot after lot, all to see is crumbled, mangled, powdered black and gray. Then a home stands untouched. All throughout the fire zone, some houses remain in jarring contrast to their neighbors. The devastation is unreal. Over requests for help with personal property recovery have been gathered, and the ministry is standing by to begin serving these families. Meanwhile, teams of volunteers have been doing just that for families in the Eaton fire zone, where Graham visited worksites the following day, beginning at the Ford home.
He only had a sixth-grade education, but he worked three jobs to keep a roof over their heads. Yet, he was always helping other people. There were always folks staying at our house. Joe and his wife, Lerna, followed this example while building their own lives in the family home. When emergency alarms woke them up at 3 a. By the time they turned back toward their own home and belongings, houses on both sides of their street were aflame.
