Los Angeles Wildfire Victims at Least 16, With 97 Indonesians Affected

January 13, 2025 | 07:08 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Los Angeles, California wildfire has devoured thousands of hectares of the Palisades area. As of Sunday, January 12, 2025, the number of victims of the Los Angeles fires has increased from 11 to 16 people, as reported by Antara and other sources based on data from the United States government.

US President Joe Biden said the death toll in the disaster was likely to increase because many residents were still unknown. The wildfires have hit Los Angeles since Tuesday, January 7, 2025 and have displaced tens of thousands of people.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) said that as of Sunday local time, no Indonesian citizens had died in the wildfire disaster in Los Angeles, California, United States.

Based on the results of coordination with local authorities and the Indonesian community, until now there has been no information about Indonesian citizens who have died, said the Directorate General of Protection of Indonesian Citizens (Ditjen PWNI) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha through a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta, Saturday, January 11, 2025, reported by Antara. However, Judha said, the Indonesian Consulate General in Los Angeles hotline has received reports of four Indonesian citizens affected and is currently receiving assistance from the Indonesian Consulate General in LA.

In addition, there are also Indonesian diaspora with foreign national status who have been reported to have lost their homes due to the fire, he said. According to Judha, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Consulate General in LA continue to monitor the fire situation. The Indonesian Consulate General in Los Angeles has visited the local shelter in Pasadena.

A view shows the remains of homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, United States, January 11, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

At least 97 Indonesian citizens and several diaspora were affected by the fire. In a written statement quoted by Tempo on Saturday, January 11, 2025, the Indonesian Consulate General stated that it had issued an early warning regarding the potential for a fire via social media. This information was also disseminated to the Indonesian community in Southern California through various communication channels, including WhatsApp groups for Indonesian citizens and students.

These Indonesian citizens and Indonesian diaspora are spread across the Pasadena area as many as 60 people, Altadena 20 people, Sylmar 10 people, and Calabasas 7 people. "The Indonesian Consulate General continues to monitor the condition of these Indonesian citizens and ensure that they receive the assistance and protection they need," said the Indonesian Consulate General.

Consular and immigration services remain operational amidst this situation. In addition, the Indonesian Consulate General is ready to follow evacuation guidelines from the Los Angeles County government if the situation worsens. "We urge the Indonesian people to remain calm, monitor developments in the situation, and comply with directions from local authorities," said the Indonesian Consulate General.

The forest fires in Los Angeles, United States are estimated to have caused losses of up to thousands of trillions of rupiah. The United States weather forecasting company, AccuWeather, estimates the damage and economic losses to reach US$ 135 billion to US$ 150 billion or equivalent to Rp2,200 trillion to Rp2,447 trillion.

"It will take weeks or months to determine the extent of insured damage, but the Los Angeles wildfires are likely to be among the costliest wildfires in state history," Moody's Ratings said, as reported by Reuters.

Raymond James estimated insured losses at $11 billion to $17.5 billion, saying the disaster could be the costliest wildfire in U.S. history.

The massive Los Angeles fires also destroyed historic buildings and several structures at two California State Parks, including Will Rogers' ranch house and buildings at Will Rogers State Historical Park (SHP). The fire also destroyed parts of Topanga State Park, including the historic Topanga Ranch Motel, once owned by William Randolph Hearst.

Linda Lestari and Antara contributed to this article.

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