Even beyond those who had to flee, an entire region has been under siege, and it feels like that’s our new reality.

While the cause of each blaze has yet to be determined, all burned in or near foothill communities amid gusty winds and dry air and vegetation.

MORE: Heidi Montag, Cameron Mathison among celebs sharing damage from California fires Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said during a press conference that despite prepositioning resources from Northern California,

As a Los Angeles resident, I’ve personally seen dozens of peers opening their doors to those in evacuation zones, fostering displaced pets, rushing to donate necessities, and doing whatever they can to spread the word about urgent resources—from local evacuation shelters and restaurants offering free food to ways to stay safe from smoke inhalation —all while monitoring wildfire apps like Watch Duty and preparing for their own potential evacuations.