Utah News keelee-mccain January 12, 2025 0 Comments

FOX 13 Reporter Reflects on California Wildfires’ Devastating Impact

Video footage from Southern California reveals the devastation left in the wake of this week’s wildfires. While the disaster is hundreds of miles from Utah, it holds a personal connection for me, as it used to be my home.

The evacuation zone, which has been inching closer to my brothers’ homes in Granada Hills and Sylmar, is now only a few blocks away. I previously worked for a newspaper in Pacific Palisades, where recent images show flames engulfing a building. One image even captures the spot where my desk once stood, looking across the street at the school now destroyed, where families once picked up their children.

The coffee shop where I met Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, is now reduced to rubble.

Although the fires have consumed a vast area, I can’t help but imagine the impact if such a fire occurred in Utah.

In Salt Lake City, the destruction would be similar to wiping out everything from 400 South to Rose Park, and from the state capitol to Interstate 215. It would mean the destruction of Capitol Hill, Temple Square, and all of downtown Salt Lake City.

Also Read – California Wildfires Strike Close to Home for FOX 13 News Reporter

For Utahns, understanding their own wildfire risk is crucial.

“I’ve seen the pictures, and the scale of destruction is unimaginable. It’s deeply concerning,” said Sherrie Slater, a St. George resident. If a fire of similar magnitude occurred in the St. George area, it could wipe out everything from Pioneer Park down to the Dixie Convention Center.

The approaching flames have left Slater on high alert in Utah. “It makes me want to prepare more,” she said. “I was talking to my husband about going to Walmart to get supplies for my car.”

Lew and Gayle Davis, visitors from Washington state, understand the anxiety of watching a fire draw near. “We’re from the northwest, and we’ve gone through something similar,” Gayle recalled. “Last summer, we were in a remote area in Steheken, only accessible by boat or airplane. The fire was miles away, but it spread quickly and devastated the area.”

The experiences of those in Utah and across the country highlight the importance of preparedness in the face of potential wildfires.

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keelee-mccain

Keelee McCain is a junior at Weber High School. This is her second year on staff, this year as Assistant to the Chief. She does have a life (probably) but she can't think of anything to write in here, so she's probably just going to ramble now. She has an orange cat who she likes better than any human. If you see her being quiet or not sitting on top of a desk, there is something very wrong. In her free time she enjoys harassing her favorite teachers and sleeping. Her life plans include making it through high school and leaving. Happy lifeing.