LA wildfires: The impact on Indian Americans

Pacific Palisades Fire from Marina Del Rey. / Josh Tuckman

The ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles have wreaked havoc across the sprawling city, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The fires, the most destructive in LA history, have already destroyed more than 10,000 buildings, with 60,000 more at risk.

As of Jan.10 morning, at least five fires are raging in the wider area, according to California fire officials, forcing over 153,000 residents to evacuate their homes with minimal belongings. The immense property values in the affected areas are expected to result in insured losses exceeding $8 billion. 

Among the countless lives impacted were those of the Indian American community. New India Abroad spoke to a few of them to learn about their experiences. “​​On Jan.8, while working from home, I noticed an ominous orange-red reflection in my window around 6 pm. Upon investigating, I discovered the Runyon Canyon Hollywood Hills ablaze, with the fire spreading rapidly,” shared Nikhil Sawhney, a product marketing manager at a telecommunications company.

“Panic set in as I hastily gathered my essential belongings. Within a mere 15-20 minutes, an evacuation order was issued. The sounds of fire trucks, sirens, and helicopters filled the air, creating a terrifying and traumatic atmosphere. As I frantically packed my valuables, I watched in horror as the flames crept closer. Exiting my garage proved a daunting challenge, with all lanes and streets gridlocked. It took an agonizing 20 minutes to traverse a mere three blocks. Thankfully, I reached the safety of my friend's home. The LA Fire Department successfully contained the Sunset Fire, preventing further devastation. My deepest gratitude goes out to these brave firefighters who risked their lives to protect our community.” 

A glimpse of the sunset fire. / Nikhil Sawhney

Moreover, an additional 166,000 residents are on high alert under evacuation warnings. “We’ve been incredibly fortunate compared to many others, but yesterday was quite challenging. We were without power for a few days and had to evacuate our home as a precaution. While it was a stressful experience, it pales in comparison to the hardships some families are enduring. The men and women of the fire department are true heroes, working tirelessly to protect lives and property under incredibly difficult conditions. We’re here to contribute in any way we can to support the relief efforts and help those more severely impacted. It’s in moments like these that the strength of our community becomes so evident,” mentioned Karan Dang, CEO/Co-founder of DANG World.

Even for those whose homes and property were spared, the fires have had a profound emotional effect. “I live in Santa Monica, and am fortunate to not have had to evacuate yet. The toll is very strongly emotional. People are scared. My 14-year-old son is frightened. The constant vigilance wondering if the unthinkable could happen and fires could spread through urban areas is affecting people strongly. However, the community is coming together to help in this time of need. My company is a provider of renewable energy generators for live events. We are working on using our assets to help provide power to those in need. We have partnered with disaster relief organizations to use equipment when not in season, never in the world did I expect to be using it in my backyard,” said Neel Vasavada, founder of Overdrive Energy Solutions.

Furthermore, the destruction of iconic establishments and the devastation of entire neighborhoods has resulted in widespread emotional distress among members of the community. “I’m distraught by the widespread destruction caused by the fires,” said Dhruv Kashyap, a software engineer at a MedTech firm. “I moved to Los Angeles five years ago and have many fond memories in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu. I can’t believe that entire neighborhoods have ceased to exist. Even though I’m currently in the safe zone, I’m ready to evacuate as the fires are still not contained. The uncertainty has been very stressful and deeply upsetting.” 

The Good Karma. / Vishal Narayan

Despite the challenges, the Indian American community has demonstrated remarkable resilience and a strong spirit of unity in the face of adversity. At this time, several non-profit organizations and restaurants have been at the forefront of relief efforts.

The Good Karma Los Angeles Org, a non-profit organization, has partnered with Arth Bar & Kitchen, a popular Indian restaurant in downtown Culver City, to provide free meals to people displaced by the fires.

“For the past two days, our team of 15 volunteers has been actively assisting at evacuation centers. We personally delivered 800 water bottles, 200 hydration packets, and 100 meals to displaced individuals and directly supported first responders. We are committed to continuing our efforts and contributing to our community's recovery,” concluded Vishal Narayan, former firefighter and founder of The Good Karma Los Angeles Org.

While the wildfires continue to burn and windy conditions persist, the Indian American community in Los Angeles remains determined to overcome this unprecedented catastrophe.