JANUARY 12th: Thousands of firefighters are still battling blazes in the Los Angeles area, which has seen 16 fire-related deaths, 100,000 residents under evacuation orders, and an estimated 12,000 homes, businesses, and other structures destroyed. ISKCON devotees are among the evacuees; it’s unknown how many may have lost homes in the tragedy. ISKCON New Dvaraka in Culver City, which includes Govinda’s Restaurant and Gift Shop, as well as the Bhagavad-gita Museum and Srila Prabhupada’s Quarters, is taking what precautions it can while closely monitoring developments. Currently, there is no Fire Watch or Red Flag Warning for Culver City, but the situation can change quickly, so vigilance is vital.
Many religious buildings have been lost, including a synagogue, a mosque, a Catholic parish, and many Protestant communities. Possibly most familiar to devotees is the Theosophical Society in Altadena, which was completely destroyed, according to preliminary reports. It is reported to be the world’s largest archive of Theosophical materials (40.000 titles), including the entire archive of the history of the movement. Unconfirmed reports indicate some of the most priceless items were moved ahead of the destruction. High winds (up to 50 mph in the Malibu area) are expected this week, which will make the situation especially difficult for fire crews battling on multiple fronts. Devotees on the Facebook platform can let others know they are safe by clicking here.
JANUARY 9th, 7:30 AM PST: Areas of Los Angeles County have been devastated by multiple uncontrolled fires in the region, destroying at least 2,000 homes and businesses. Five residents are confirmed dead; that number is expected to rise. Currently, the closest fire is more than ten miles from the historic ISKCON New Dvaraka temple in Culver City. Still, windspeeds and directions can quickly change, so devotees are remaining vigilant.
Five major fires are actively burning as of this report. The largest of the conflagrations, the Palisades Fire, is now the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history. Scorching more than 17,000 acres, it remains uncontained. Much of southern California is under a Red Flag Warning, which means warm temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds make the risk of more fires a real and present danger for the region. New Dvaraka Temple President Svavasa Das said in a message, “We are okay. The fires are several miles away. Lots of smoke, we are keeping an eye on it, and ready to act if necessary.”
Some devotees living closer to the fires are under evacuation orders, which is in effect for 37,000 residents. ISKCON readers worldwide are invited to pray for the safety of those in the path of the fires. ISKCON News will continue to follow this developing story. You can also follow the latest developments and containment of the fires on the Watch Duty app, available for free on Apple and Android platforms. Please reach out to editor@iskcon.org if you have relevant information or updates.
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