The multiple wildfires burning throughout Los Angeles have been both devastating and disappointing news.
The destruction caused by these natural disasters is not new to our community. Orange County has also experienced wildfires that have deeply affected many. Even now, the Santa Ana winds can be felt here in Irvine, accompanied by reports of worsening air quality.
As a broader West Coast community, we have to ask ourselves what precautionary measures need to be enacted to prevent the losses and suffering caused by natural disasters. If a wildfire similar to those raging in Los Angeles were to strike Irvine, how are we to respond to such a disaster? More importantly, what would the recovery process look like afterward? These are questions Los Angeles residents are currently asking themselves, and it’s concerning that the answers remain uncertain…