Tech as a lifeline in LA fires

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MICK A., a friend and a resident of South Los Angeles kept our Messenger group informed about the condition of the fires in his part of the city. Our small chat group, just five high school friends, was full of videos and photos he was taking from the second floor of his apartment. He lives just 5 miles away from Eaton—the site of a smaller, yet similarly devastating blaze, and 8 miles from the Pacific Palisades fires. From his home he could see and smell the smoke billowing from the Pacific Ocean into the city.

As we were chatting his phone let out an alert—sounding like our very own NDRMMC flood alert. It was calling for evacuation preparedness since the the wind-swept fires spread so rapidly that a five mile-distance could be engulfed in flames in an hour or less.

The LA emergency alert app warned residents of movement of the fire and wind changes as well as to mask up when the air pollution reaches critical levels. As this article is being written, Mick has been alerted over 9 times.

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The catastrophic wildfire crisis tested the effectiveness of modern technology in emergency and disaster management.

Although overwhelmed by the unstoppable 100 mile-per-hour winds, that literally fanned the flames—even those atop the trees—firefighters depended on technologies from satellite imagery, drones, IoT devices (some eventually engulfed by the flames) and social media platforms all helped in managing widespread evacuations, pinpoint areas where fires are starting anew and even managing traffic and vehicle deployment in and around the greater Los Angeles area.

Early problems in disaster communications

An alleged “wrong call,” for evacuation was blamed on a message send by a third-party vendor, Genasys to LA residents. The message, called for residents to “prepare for an emergency evacuation,” even though they were far from the centers of the blaze.

This caused a lot of confusion and panic to the recipients of the message. In a report that appeared in CNN, the Los Angeles Fire Department said this app didn’t limit the areas to which it was broadcast. A preliminary assessment of the app found the glitch was due to the fires’ impacts on cellular towers,” which in turn impacted the signaling back to the servers.

Warnings and evacuations

To its credit however, once the glitch was fixed, Genasys provided targeted alerts to residents in high-risk areas, receiving immediate notifications about mandatory evacuations. This proactive approach was crucial as over 150,000 residents were ordered to evacuate due to the rapidly spreading Palisades and Eaton fires, which had already destroyed thousands of structures.

The Watch Duty app has emerged as a vital resource for residents providing real-time information and critical updates to help individuals navigate the dangers posed by rapidly spreading flames. Launched in 2021 by a nonprofit organization in Sonoma County, Watch Duty was created to address the lack of timely and centralized information available during wildfires. The app has quickly gained popularity, during the catastrophic Southern California fires, with over 7 million active users and more than 1 million downloads occurring within just 24 hours during peak fire activity.

In addition to official alerts, social media played a significant role in disseminating information. Residents turned to platforms like Facebook and Instagram for updates on fire conditions, evacuation routes, and shelter locations. The immediacy of these platforms allowed for real-time sharing of critical information, helping individuals make informed decisions in the face of uncertainty.

Fighting fires with low and high tech

Aerial firefighting resources also played a pivotal role in combating the wildfires. Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were deployed to drop seawater and fire retardants on active flames.

In a report on CNBC, intense firefighting efforts in Mandeville Canyon near Pacific Palisades, aerial support was essential in protecting homes from encroaching flames. High flying drones equipped with infrared sensors provided valuable reconnaissance data, allowing ground crews to assess fire spread and prioritize their efforts effectively.

The fight also require low tech and muscle.

Some 70 firefighters from Mexico were sent in to join in the fight against the fires, while equally capable firefighters from Alberta and British Columbia in Canada—about 100 or so—were deployed. These teams included experienced wildland firefighters and specialized equipment such as water bombers and night-vision helicopters.

Their deployment was coordinated with local authorities to enhance firefighting capabilities on the ground. One the first few days the LA Fire Department helicopters weren’t able to fly in the middle of the 100 mph windstorms but the planes, guided by satellite technologies filled water from the sea and dropped their load over the fires guided only by global positioning satellite coordinates to be able ‘to see’ through the thick smoke.

Managing expectations through social media

Social media helped reduce anxiety was by providing real-time updates on fire conditions, evacuation orders, and safety measures. The LA fire department had volunteers monitoring Facebook, X and Instagram while residents turned to these platforms to stay informed about the evolving situation.

Local fire departments utilized their official accounts on X and Facebook to provide timely updates on containment efforts and areas under evacuation orders. This transparency helped residents feel more connected to the response efforts and less isolated during a chaotic time.

Social media also fostered a sense of community among those affected by the fires. Many individuals shared their experiences, offered support to neighbors, and provided information about available resources. One post on Instagram showed a group of Filipino residents giving out Jollibee meals to affected residents.

Community support

Community and academic FB groups became hubs for sharing information about shelter locations, safe evacuation routes, and assistance for displaced families. This grassroots communication not only empowered residents but also created a network of support that helped alleviate feelings of helplessness.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the fundraising platform GoFundMe has created a hub dedicated to relief from the fires. Nearly 400 individual campaigns have already raised a huge amount of money

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The emotional toll of the wildfires was significant, with many individuals experiencing heightened anxiety and distress. Social media served as an outlet for people to express their fears and frustrations. Posts detailing personal experiences—such as losing homes or cherished belongings—resonated with others facing similar challenges. This collective sharing allowed individuals to feel less alone in their struggles.

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