Fires Leave Devastation, Sparking Community Aid and Evacuations

SINGAPORE – As deadly wildfires ravage Los Angeles, Singaporeans living in the area recount stories of survival and resilience. Among them is Shabnam Melwani, a 55-year-old businesswoman whose Pacific Palisades home suffered severe smoke damage on 7 January.

Forced to leave her house, Ms Melwani is now staying in a Santa Monica hotel. Despite the destruction, she has chosen to remain in Los Angeles to support others impacted by the fires, which President Joe Biden described as California’s worst.

Ms Melwani has spearheaded a donation drive for displaced women through her lifestyle store, Sun Moon Rain. Working with suppliers and her team, she prepared 90 self-care packages to distribute on 14 January. “Instead of seeing myself as a victim, I focused on helping others,” she said, crediting local firefighters and neighbours for inspiring her efforts.

Wildfires Destroy Homes and Memories
The wildfires have displaced over 150,000 people and claimed at least 24 lives. Singaporean Cheryl Uyesugi, 39, lost her Malibu holiday home, which was reduced to rubble. “The house held precious memories, including my son’s birthday barbecue,” said Mrs Uyesugi, who is now considering relocating to San Diego with her family.

Other Singaporeans faced difficult choices as the fires approached. E-commerce director Winnie Puah, 44, captured videos of flames engulfing nearby mountains from her Arcadia home. Though her property was spared, the winds damaged her front gate, which she and her husband spent hours repairing. “The winds were howling like a typhoon,” she said, adding that her children’s schools were closed for days.

Evacuations and Community Impact
For some, the threat of fire prompted immediate evacuation. Movie producer Thomas Lim fled his West Los Angeles home on 12 January as evacuation zones neared his neighbourhood. Staying with friends, he is preparing to return to Singapore. “It felt as if the fires were forming a chain around the city. It’s like hell is here,” he said.

While the fires have caused widespread devastation, they have also highlighted the resilience of affected communities. For many Singaporeans in Los Angeles, this challenging time has been a test of strength, adaptability, and solidarity.