California Wildfires: Los Angeles residents gather aid without government aid

Residents of Los Angeles have said that they are not waiting for the government to provide aid amid wildfires sweeping across California.
They said they were donating food and clothing to those whose homes had been destroyed by the fire, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported.
The fires raging in Los Angeles had already claimed dozens of lives, leaving many more without a roof over their heads.
The latter are supposed to receive the humanitarian aid, which was being collected in many neighbourhoods and sometimes even on the side of the road.
While Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass had urged people to search online for information on emergencies, shelters, and resources, locals were bringing food, clothing, and diapers.
Even dog food was being brought to the nearest relief sites. Some volunteers even started cooking.
At the same time, as California Governor Gavin Newsom tried to rally city officials and local businesses to help rebuild the city for the 2028 Olympic Games, people were lining up at relief centres.
He said victims of the fires were actively visiting humanitarian sites to get needed items, some food, or a shower, but the supply does not seem to be running out.
The roads leading to the sites of the worst fires are decorated with posters giving directions to the relief spots or the nearby shelter for those left without homes.
“We are just helping the community—people who lost their homes with the fire last Friday,’’ one of the volunteers, Jose, told RIA Novosti.
He also said volunteers acted mostly on their own, without help from the government, and only the National Guard and Sheriff’s Department are protecting homes from looters.
“A lot of people have come and donated food, water, clothes, and shoes. We have been here since last Friday trying to help everybody who can come and get whatever they need,’’ Mr Jose said.
The volunteer also said the fire, which was the worst fire he had seen in his whole life, came to his neighbourhood with strong winds.
(RIA/AN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

States
Electoral commission surprised at Ondo PDP’s withdrawal from LG poll
Mr Aremo said that the PDP was part of the processes leading to the exercise before its withdrawal.

States
Court remands woman over bag of rice, clothes valued at N100,000
The magistrate adjourned the matter until March 5 for hearing.

Anti-Corruption
“Heavy hammer’ waiting to fall on sacked Lagos Speaker Obasa upon return to Nigeria: EFCC Sources
The Peoples Gazette’s exclusive story exposing Mr Obasa’s shady dealings and lavish spending rattled the state legislators who immediately impeached him on Monday.

States
Court remands five herders over alleged theft of cows
Mr Abubakar told the court that the alleged offence was committed sometime in July 2024.

States
Businessman in court over alleged N343 million fraud
The prosecutor said that the defendant committed the offences sometime in 2023 in Lagos.

States
Manager arraigned for allegedly stealing employer’s N3.9 million
The defendant pleaded not guilty.