‘Ring of fire’: Nova Scotians in L.A. speak about living through historic fires
As the devastating fires continue to ravage Los Angeles, individuals with ties to Nova Scotia are sharing their harrowing experiences of living amidst the chaos. The death toll from the fires has tragically climbed to 10 people, with over 10,000 homes and structures destroyed since the fires began earlier this week in the densely populated area just north of downtown Los Angeles.
One such individual with connections to Nova Scotia is actor and former This Hour Has 22 Minutes cast member, Shaun Majumder, who currently resides in the Los Feliz neighborhood of L.A. In a recent interview with CBC, Majumder revealed that he and his family were fortunately not in immediate danger but were situated between two fires that are still raging. He described the air quality as terrible, with a darkened neighborhood strewn with downed power lines. Majumder expressed that the situation was unlike anything he had ever experienced before, with a ring of fire encircling the area.
Ben Proudfoot, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker from Nova Scotia, also finds himself in the midst of the chaos in Los Feliz. He recounted seeing downed trees outside his window and being enveloped by the pervasive smell of smoke. Proudfoot described the area as a ghost town and emphasized the significant impact the fires have had on the entire city. Despite not receiving an evacuation order, Proudfoot is providing shelter to friends who were forced to evacuate due to the fires near Altadena.
Meanwhile, in Burbank, former Haligonian Shahin Sayadi and his family are prepared to evacuate if necessary. The city is sandwiched between the large fire near Malibu and the smaller fire affecting Altadena. Sayadi recounted the rapid escalation of the fires, from a small blaze in Palisades to a massive inferno in Malibu, exacerbated by gusty winds.
While media coverage has highlighted the destruction of celebrities’ homes, including those owned by Jeff Bridges, Mandy Moore, and Paris Hilton, Sayadi emphasized that many middle-class and working-class individuals have also been affected. He stressed that ordinary people are bearing the brunt of the devastation caused by the fires.
As the fires continue to rage on, individuals like Majumder, Proudfoot, and Sayadi are grappling with the uncertainty and upheaval brought on by this natural disaster. The resilience and solidarity displayed by these individuals in the face of adversity serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of community and compassion during times of crisis.
