I know we joke about “thoughts and prayers” but my thoughts are absolutely with the people of LA today. I live in Cape Town which has essentially the same climate as LA (save that our summer and winter are reversed) and very similar problems of wildfires. Four years ago we had a terrible fire which forced me to evacuate my home and burned down several buildings on the campus of my alma mater. (We discussed it here.)
Being forced out of your home on short notice, not knowing if it will be there when you come back, is a terrifying experience. The destruction of places you know and love is horrendous.