A reporter tells a story.

(CLO) Wally Skalij, a veteran Los Angeles Times reporter with 25 years of experience covering wildfires, had a premonition of something bad when he heard the forecast for a major windstorm this week. He immediately reported to his editor: "If this happens, the situation will be very serious." But no one expected the disaster to be so devastating.

Over the past few days, wildfires have devastated numerous communities in Los Angeles, burning nearly 35,000 acres and more than 10,000 homes. At least 10 people have died in the disaster. Entire neighborhoods, including affluent areas like Altadena and Pacific Palisades, are now reduced to ashes.

Skalij spent 15 hours documenting the devastating effects of the fire. Speaking to CJR, he shared: "Wildfires are a very unpredictable monster. You can't imagine their destructive power until you see it with your own eyes."

Skalij said he had never reported on a fire as devastating as this one. (Photo: Christina House / Sipa USA via AP)

It takes about 35-40 minutes to drive from home to Pacific Palisades. When Skalij arrived at Sunset Boulevard, the road was completely gridlocked. Cars were bumper-to-bumper, everyone trying to escape the fire. They occupied all the lanes, preventing fire trucks from moving. After a period of chaos, a few people gave way, creating a small lane.

Skalij said that if it weren't for the deadline for the article, he would have wanted to stay there to document the chaotic moments as the fire engulfed the area. He stopped to take a few photos of people walking their dogs and dragging suitcases as they left their homes. But he had to return to the scene of the fire before 3 p.m., so he had to continue his journey.

"At that moment, the fire was still raging fiercely on the mountain, but it had begun to spread to residential areas. As I approached, I saw three houses engulfed in flames. Not a soul was in sight, not a single fire truck appeared. The sight of houses being burned down always breaks my heart, but what I most hoped for was to capture the moment the brave firefighters battled the blaze. I wanted to photograph them struggling with the fire hoses, their faces filled with worry and determination. There was an urgency, a powerful vitality in those moments," Skalij said.

Throughout the process, he tried to contact the editors for updates. But mobile networks in the areas affected by the fires were often very unreliable. Skalij found a way to connect at a nearby bar, where the phone signal was more stable.

Just then, editors kept texting him, asking, "Hey, Getty Villa might be on fire!" Finally, he decided to go to the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. There, Skalij captured incredibly striking images of coastal homes engulfed in flames. The scene was truly haunting.

Skalij shared that he had witnessed many wildfires in Malibu before, and usually the fire would slowly spread down the hillside, with embers flying for miles. Sometimes, only one or two coastal homes would be destroyed. But this time was completely different. The fire erupted with terrifying ferocity, and the winds were stronger than anything he had ever seen.

"There was a moment, standing next to a fire station, when I clearly felt the strong gust of wind. I'm not exaggerating when I say the wind speed could have been up to a hundred kilometers per hour. The wind felt like it wanted to sweep everything away; I had to turn my back and find shelter. It was unbelievable! I've witnessed many fires, but I've never experienced such a strong and prolonged wind. I was truly shocked," he said.

While working, Skalij learned that a fellow photographer had just lost his home in a fire. This deeply saddened him. It's difficult to imagine the pain of those who have lost everything. He tried to put himself in their shoes, approaching the story with sensitivity and respect.

Skalij confided: "In the most painful moments, we, the journalists, are there to document them. It's a difficult job, requiring a balance between providing information and respecting the privacy of others."

"However, I always try to look at the positive side of things. Perhaps, through these stories, we can learn many valuable lessons. That's why I always want to be present at the scene, to recount these emotional and meaningful stories," he added.

Hoang Anh (according to CIR)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/phong-vien-ke-ve-bien-lua-trong-tham-hoa-chay-rung-los-angeles-post330177.html