The wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County have left a trail of destruction, scorching over 40,000 acres of land and claiming 25 lives as of Friday. This catastrophe has severely impacted the county's workforce, particularly domestic workers, who number over 100,000 and represent roughly one-third of California's total. Predominantly immigrants and women of color from Latin America and the Philippines, many of these workers face unique challenges due to their undocumented status, rendering them ineligible for public benefits. As the fires continue to wreak havoc, the destruction of more than 10,000 structures, including multimillion-dollar homes, has left many without employment.
The Palisades and Eaton fires have been particularly devastating, burning down nearly half of the homes serviced by a landscaping business in Altadena. Ocean Housekeeping, a home cleaning service, lost over 50% of its business overnight. The economic repercussions are stark, with more than half of nearly 200 workers surveyed reporting permanent job loss in the affected areas. Already, 75 household workers have reached out to organizations to report job loss, with many calls still awaiting processing.
“Every day that the fire is going on is a day without work,” – Maegan Ortiz, executive director of Instituto de Educacion Popular del Sur de California (IDEPSCA)
Domestic workers, often paid by the day and lacking social protections, bear a significant burden during wildfires. The National Domestic Workers Alliance has stepped in to provide aid, collecting donations to supply personal protective equipment (PPE) and basic living necessities for workers while also funding long-term recovery support. Meanwhile, a study by the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute highlights how wildfires "exacerbate long-standing inequities" for Latinos and other underserved communities.
The economic justice group Inclusive Action for the City has initiated an emergency fund aimed at outdoor workers such as street vendors and landscapers. This fund will distribute one-time cash payments of $500 on a first-come, first-serve basis to help mitigate immediate financial struggles.
“We’re really looking to ensure that recovery isn’t all just about relief,” – Megan Foronda, a certified nurse assistant and community organizer with the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (Nafcon)
The devastation caused by the wildfires has also prompted individuals to reflect on their circumstances and the broader implications for the community. Amit Mohan, a local plumber, expressed a sense of gratitude amidst the adversity.
“It’s a hard pill to swallow,” – Amit Mohan, who operates his own plumbing service
“There are a lot more people out there that need more help than I do,” – Amit Mohan, who operates his own plumbing service
Megan Foronda of Nafcon stresses that the impact of wildfires extends beyond the immediate victims.
“We’re trying to show people that this is a very narrow definition of who’s directly affected by the fire,” – Megan Foronda
“We’re seeing the wildfires affect so many of us in LA,” – Megan Foronda