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Somali business owners grapple with health and economic fallout of Los Angeles wildfires

 


Monday January 13, 2025


Hussein Mohamud Bulow stands in front of the menu at his Somali restaurant in southern Los Angeles. Bulow explains that the air pollution caused by the wildfires has discouraged people from dining out, creating challenges for local businesses. (Credit: Supplied/Bulow)

Mogadishu (HOL) — The raging wildfires in Los Angeles have claimed 24 lives, left 16 missing, and destroyed tens of thousands of acres as firefighters struggle to contain the devastation. With strong Santa Ana winds expected to intensify through midweek, officials warn of a “disaster scenario” that could further imperil lives and property.

Among those affected is the Somali community, including Hussein Mohamud Bulow, a restaurant owner in Inglewood, southern Los Angeles. Bulow described the chaos and uncertainty brought by the fires.

“This tragedy has hit an area full of life and activity. Now, it’s unrecognizable—a major disaster,” Bulow told the BBC Somali Service on Sunday.

While the Somali population near the fire zones is relatively small, their contributions to the area are deeply rooted. Inglewood is home to a handful of Somali-owned businesses, like Bulow’s restaurant, which serve as cultural hubs for the small but connected community. The modest Somali presence in Los Angeles, with estimates suggesting fewer than 300 families, stems from the broader Somali diaspora that grew significantly following the civil war in the 1990s.

Bulow noted that smoke and ash have driven residents to evacuate and deterred others from dining out, dealing a blow to local businesses like his.

“The debris and pollution in the air have made it unsafe to gather outdoors. It’s affecting our health and livelihoods,” Bulow said.

Firefighters, supported by crews from eight states, Canada and Mexico, are working tirelessly to control the flames. The Palisades fire, the largest, has burned over 23,000 acres and is only 11% contained. The Eaton fire has scorched 14,000 acres and is 27% contained, while the smaller Hurst fire, which has consumed 799 acres, is nearing full containment.

Despite some progress, officials caution that worsening winds could reignite hotspots, reversing recent gains. Three fire trucks have already been destroyed, highlighting the severity of the challenge.

The financial toll is staggering, with AccuWeather estimating damages between $250 billion and $275 billion. The wildfires are now among the costliest in U.S. history.

Meanwhile, the human toll continues to grow. Of the 24 confirmed fatalities, 16 were recovered from the Eaton fire zone and eight from the Palisades area. Rescue teams are still searching for the missing.

For Bulow and others in Los Angeles, the road to recovery is uncertain. “We fear for our health and livelihoods,” he said. “The fires have disrupted everything, and rebuilding will take time.”

  • With files from the BBC Somali Service


Hussein Mohamud Bulow, a Somali restaurant owner in southern Los Angeles, prepares meals in his kitchen. Bulow says the ongoing wildfires have driven people away from gathering at restaurants, significantly impacting his business. (Credit: Supplied/Bulow)



 





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