Maritimers flee L.A. homes as fires continue to rage

Thick, orange-hued smoke blanket the skies of Los Angeles as wildfires continue to spread across California, forcing thousands to flee their homes.

Maritimer Leesa Severyn was one of the many residents who saw the looming threat from her window.

“It was around dusk and I saw the whole horizon was red and I knew immediately it was fire. I called 911 and reported and then I went around and told my neighbours. We got our things together and we waited,” said Severyn.

She decided she did not want to risk waiting for the alert, choosing instead to leave before midnight to stay a friend’s place.

“Projectiles were flying at you on the freeway and my car was being bettered by the winds,” she recalled. “It was blowing my car around the freeway. It was scary.”

Just before dawn, an evacuation alert for her neighbourhood was issued. Severyn is still shocked by the strength of the wind and the raging fire.

“I am very scared. The vortex of hurricane-strength wind was blowing everywhere,” said Severyn.

Severyn learned from a neighbour that house is still standing but has severe smoke damage.

“The property value where I live is over $500,000 to a million [and] I found out insurance will cover only $200,000,” she said.

Former Maritimer Leesa Severyn had to flee her L.A. home due to the wildfires in January 2025. (Source: Leesa Severyn)

As the flames spread rapidly, residents in several areas were urged to evacuate, including Cole Harbour native Micaela Choo, who lives just 10 kilometers from two of the six major fires raging in the state.

Choo described the eerie silence and skies as unsettling.

“It’s very quiet and we’re just staying tuned to see if we need to evacuate,” she said. “Looking out, the sky is so dark, and it’s very creepy.”

Nearly 170,000 people have been forced to evacuate, including Choo’s friend who found herself driving around all night in search of a hotel room, as accommodations were completely booked in the area.

“I mean, you can imagine, over 100,000 people forced to leave their home, scrambling to find somewhere to live,” Choo said.

She said she and her family are doing the best they can at this time.

“My daughter is still going to school and some aren’t. This morning my daughter didn’t want to go either but she has one person in their class who lost their home and I told her that person lost everything and how they might feel being on their own,” explained Choo. “I told her she is going to need a friend.”

Since the fire started on Tuesday, five people have lost their lives and many residents haven’t been able to return to their homes.

“My husband died 4 years ago. I have my house, my dog, and my cat. My family is all in Canada, except for my brother Steve, who is in Florida. So, I’m by myself and I’m scared,” Severyn said.

Choo and her family have packed their belongings, with important documents stored in a fireproof safe, just in case they have to leave again.