LOS ANGELES, Calif (FOX26) \u2014 Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring Jan. 7 as a day of remembrance for the victims of the Los Angeles fires.<\/p>\n
In honor of the day, flags at all state buildings will be flown at half-staff. <\/p>\n
“One year ago, fire tore through Los Angeles, shattering ordinary days and forever changing the lives of tens of thousands of people in Malibu, Altadena, Pasadena, and the Pacific Palisades,” the proclamation stated. “In a matter of hours, neighborhoods were reduced to ash, families were displaced, and 31 lives were taken \u2014 each one irreplaceable, each one deeply loved.”<\/p>\n
The proclamation emphasized the ongoing impact of the fires, noting that the loss leaves “wounds that time cannot heal.”<\/p>\n
It also highlighted the broader context of wildfires in California, referencing past fires such as the Tubbs, Camp, and North Complex fires.<\/p>\n
“The past decade has seen fires on a scale once unimaginable \u2013 driven by hotter temperatures, prolonged drought, and the accelerating realities of a changing climate,” Newsom said. “Humanity cannot defy nature, but we can meet its challenges with resolve and preparation.”<\/p>\n
The proclamation also recognized the compassion and solidarity shown in the aftermath of the fires, stating that “people from across the state, even across the globe, have come together in support of these communities.”<\/p>\n
In addition to mourning the victims, Newsom honored the first responders, community leaders, and public servants who risked their lives to protect Angelenos.<\/p>\n