MANILA – The number of Filipinos affected by the massive Los Angeles wildfires has reached 191, with the number expected to rise in the coming days as the blaze rages on, said the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles.
In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, Philippine Consulate General to LA Adelio Angelito Cruz said the mission is closely monitoring the situation of the more than 400,000 Filipinos in Los Angeles County, at least 25 percent of whom are residing in the most-affected areas.
“The affected so far is 191 in total and we expect the number to increase in the next few days,” he said.
At present, the consulate is documenting the affected individuals including several caregivers, who also lost their jobs as the wildfires destroyed the homes of their employers.
Cruz, however, assured that the government will extend all the necessary assistance to the affected, including financial aid of USD200.
At present, he added that no Filipino has been confirmed among the 24 casualties and 24 missing persons.
As casualties rise, the diplomat noted that regular procedures in identifying cadavers are no longer applicable as most of the victims have been charred.
“So, they have to go through DNA testing. The LA County Coroner’s Office will have to advise us to wait and it will take about weeks,” he said.
Red flag warning
In a separate advisory, the consulate said red flag warnings are currently in effect for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, meaning dry and windy conditions are expected to lead to the rapid spread of wildfires.
“There are still two large wildfires ongoing in LA County. And we are going to have a red flag warning—this means winds are going to be strong again, strong enough to possibly even fire the flames of the two ongoing wildfires,” Cruz said.
The diplomat said the largest of the two, the Palisades Fire, has already razed all of the houses in the Palisades area and is at present only 14 percent contained.
Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire, burning around the Altadena area, where most of the affected Filipinos are residing, is contained at only 33 percent and has already burned over 5,700 hectares of properties.
Churches open doors for victims
Two parish churches headed by Filipino priests in California have opened doors for the victims of wildfires in Los Angeles.
Incarnation Church in Glendale under Fr. Rodel Balagtas and Assumption Parish in Claremont led by Fr. Michael Montoya, are ready to accept wildfire victims.
“Our parish church is open to evacuees from nearby areas. They can use our facility, our church and our school auditorium for any families, who want to stay out of the fire,” Balagtas said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.
Montoya said the entire Archdiocese of Los Angeles is also open to receiving donations for wildfire victims.
“In the website of the Archdicoese of Los Angeles, you can find there ways on how to send help in cash or in any ways. They have also identified areas, where people can send help,” he said.
Balagtas, meanwhile, said they are also ready for any eventuality in case the wildfires reach their establishments.
“We have some precautionary measures and we are ready for any evacuations,” he said. (with reports from Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)