While Los Angeles is nearly 2,500 kilometres away from Calgary, the destructive wildfires in southern California hit too close to home for several Albertans. Global News had a conversation with several Alberta residents currently residing in LA, which is being ruthlessly ravaged by these wildfires.

These Alberta expatriates remarked that although these blazing infernos are reminiscent of the wildfire that devastated Jasper last summer, they’ve never experienced anything this severe.

Jaxon Smith, a Calgary native who currently resides near Hollywood Boulevard, received an alert on his phone about a fire that had ignited in the Hollywood Hills. This was a mere 10-minute distance from his apartment, causing his Calgary-based parents a significant amount of worry.

Jaxon’s father, Kevin Smith, recounted the tense moments when Jaxon received the alert, called a friend, and rushed into the street. The scene was chaotic, with cars and people with luggage everywhere, making it a highly intense situation.

Jaxon is currently safe in Laguna but his parents remain on edge due to the horrifying situation in the area.

Another Alberta native, Sameena Siddiqui, who had just arrived in Los Angeles to commence a semester at California State University, described the city as being engulfed in thick smoke, with empty streets and large objects being tossed around by the strong winds fuelling the fires.

The current death toll stands at six, with expectations of it rising. 200,000 homes have been evacuated, leaving thousands of Californians homeless.

This article serves to keep potential investors and interested parties informed, though providing investment advice is not its primary aim. The wildfire situation in Los Angeles continues to be a pressing issue, affecting not only locals but also those hailing from regions as far as Alberta.