A Chicago lawyer, Fred Ufkes, lost everything in the Palisades fire, highlighting the devastating impact of wildfires on individuals and communities.
Fred Ufkes, a Chicago-based lawyer who grew up in downstate Illinois, is facing the devastating consequences of losing his home in the Palisades fire in California . The fire, which started less than a mile from his Pacific Palisades residence, forced his family to flee with only minutes to spare. They managed to grab their pets, essential documents, and precious family photos as they evacuated.
Ufkes captured harrowing images of the flames engulfing his neighborhood, revealing the widespread destruction. He reported that most homes in his area, including Las Casas Loop and the Alphabet Streets, have been reduced to ash, along with churches, gas stations, and grocery stores. Ufkes remains unable to return home and grapples with the enormity of rebuilding after such a profound loss. 'I'm 67 years old and for the first time in my life, I'm homeless. Never had to experience that before. I've got a wife, I've got two sons, I've got a dog, I've got a cat. I don't know where I'm going. I don't know if I can go back. Even if I do, I don't know what's there. So I'm just going to have to live with what I've got, learn to live with what's going to happen, be willing to take every day as it comes and not expect too much out of myself and those that I love,' Ufkes shared. For the time being, Ufkes and his family are staying with friends near Los Angeles International Airport. He expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support from others and finds solace in the small moments spent with his loved ones during this challenging period
Wildfire California Homelessness Displacement Loss
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