Massive effort to help Los Angeles wildfire survivors

Massive relief efforts continue in Los Angeles for tens of thousands of residents who have lost their homes or been evacuated from the fires that have devastated the area since last week. Voice of America correspondent Genia Dulot reports from the convention center in Pasadena, which has been converted into a shelter for evacuees.

Altadena resident Danielle Williams says she lost everything in the fire except the clothes she was wearing and her cats. Her sister's apartment was destroyed. But it's not known if her father's house is still standing.

"The backyard is on fire. They're still fighting the flames. Law enforcement is everywhere. Unfortunately, there are mass robberies happening in his neighborhood. That's another concern," Ms. Williams tells VOA.

All the people in line have lost their homes. They are waiting for a small cash handout from the nonprofit California Fire Foundation.

19-year-old Hank Donovan says the entire block of houses where he lived has burned down.

"I grew up there since I was seven years old with my peers from the neighborhood. We are all about the same age and we consider each other as family members. The neighborhood where we grew up has been destroyed. High school and college didn't separate us from each other, it seems that fire is the only thing that could break up the block."

Firefighters helped Josh Erdman and Armen Sark find their wedding rings after their home burned down.

"They broke through the wall of the house and created a space to help find the rings. We rummaged through the ashes and rubble and after about 40 minutes we found our two original rings."

Government agencies, private businesses and non-profit organizations are working to help evacuees, with clothing or finding the basic documents they need.

An animal shelter in Pasadena is caring for more than 350 pets whose owners could not take them with them to evacuation centers, says Kevin McManus, spokesman for the nonprofit Pasadena Humane.

"They refused to go to the evacuation centers without providing a shelter for their animals. So we opened the doors for them, and we told them we would take care of them. They don't have to worry about the animals at this extremely difficult time."

Ritchie Ramos, a resident of the Los Feliz neighborhood, donated food and other items for animal care.

"It makes me feel good when I help, when I see all these good and generous people around me. We should give, support and inspire each other as much as we can."

The support has been so overwhelming for shelters and fire stations that authorities are asking people to no longer bring food or perishable items, but to make monetary donations./VOA