Editorial: California Fires Impact Community
By Ellen Jin, Lily Rampe, and Forrest Zeng
147th News Editors on behalf of the 147th Board of The Exonian
On the morning of Jan. 7, students and teachers all across the Academy campus reunited on the first day of academic classes after winter break. On the other side of the nation, on the dry hills of California’s Palisade region, a small fire had just erupted, drawing attention from nearby hikers. In only two days, the California Palisades fire would grow to catastrophic sizes and seize the nation’s attention.
Two days after the start of the fire, LA County Public Works Director, Mark Pestrell, stated that damage to the power, sewer, and water infrastructure had occurred from the fires. Roads became closed as trees and debris blocked paths.
In addition to the infrastructure damage caused by the fires, many buildings were burned. As the Palisades Fire destroyed over 6,000 structures, the Eaton Fire damaged or destroyed over 10,000 structures. Some of these structures include famous movie locations and local businesses, schools, and essential stores to a community.
On the Exeter campus, these events are deeply troubling to students and faculty alike. Not only are students from the Los Angeles area impacted, but it raises greater concerns in the collective mind about the recent trend of natural disasters. From the shocking flooding in North Carolina this past October, which swept away entire towns, to our own Swasey River overflowing due to immense sea flooding at Hampton last year, we must remain aware and vigilant of how our community is reacting and being affected by the devastation occurring across the nation.
As Exonians and faculty read about the destruction in the news, we advise students seeking ways to contribute to look towards organizations such as GoFundMe, which has started a 2025 Wildfire Relief Fund. The American Red Cross also encourages and provides a way for people to donate to those affected by the fires. The practice of supporting communities must become a practice at Exeter when disaster strikes, and the effort last weekend by the UnSilenced performance to raise money for the Salvation Army’s LA Wildfire Relief Fund is a great start. Simply put, these efforts embody the spirit of non sibi.
As L.A. residents and Academy boarders anxiously await any positive updates about their homes, we encourage students and faculty to be respectful and supportive of those affected. These moments bring forward the values of community and the importance of helping one another.
At The Exonian, our community is paramount. In such times, the importance of unity cannot be clearer. On behalf of The Exonian, we extend our hearts and prayers to every California resident affected. Exeter is in no way a world in itself. The L.A. fires are a stark reminder of that.