Pinoy families seek help amid inferno

Three Filipino families have sought the assistance of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, California amid the wildfires that have been sweeping through LA neighborhoods since Tuesday, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Assistant Secretary Adelio Angelito Cruz said the DFA has been reaching out to Filipinos in LA, but only a few have asked for help.

“We are assuming they have many relatives in LA and that’s where they have sought temporary refuge,” Cruz said.

$200 aid for victims

The three families sought the consulate’s assistance in obtaining new passports after losing their documents during their evacuation.

Cruz said the consulate is giving referrals to evacuation sites and hotel discounts for displaced Filipinos. The DFA has also authorized financial aid for those affected by the fires.

“The initial amount that we can provide right off is $200 (approximately P11,800),” Cruz said.

Southern California is home to around two million Filipinos, with over three million residing across the state.

Cruz said no Filipinos were reported to be in Pacific Palisades, where the first wildfire broke out. He assured that the Philippine consulate, located on Wilshire Boulevard in downtown LA was safe from the fires.

The Los Angeles consulate remains fully operational and is open 24 hours to assist those in need.

Curfew raised

A nighttime curfew will remain in effect as the massive wildfires continue to engulf Los Angeles county, Sheriff Robert Luna told Turkish news agency Anadolu.

“A curfew has been established for the Palisades and Eaton fire areas and in all mandatory evacuation zones,” Luna told a briefing with LA Mayor Karen Bass and county officials, who gave updates on the fires which have raged out of control and destroyed thousands of homes.

He said the curfew “was in effect last night and it’s going to be in effect tonight at 6 p.m.”

He warned that anyone caught violating the curfew would be fined or face jail time.

“This curfew will be strictly enforced and is being taken to enhance public safety, protect property, and prevent any burglaries or looting in the area that the residents have evacuated,” Luna said.

He said approximately 57,830 structures were at risk due to the wildfires, and announced that additional police personnel were set to arrive in the next 12 to 24 hours.

Los Angeles Assistant Police Chief Dominic Choi said at least 210 officers have been deployed to maintain “law and order” in the fire areas.