Chabad-Lubavitch emissary Rabbi Zushe Cunin, his preschool director and their staff were forced to evacuate more than 100 small children on Tuesday from the Chabad Jewish Community Center of Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, California as flames from a raging wildfire approached the campus.
“Our staff and our director got right into action as an evacuation order was just coming in, noticing the smoke and not wanting the children to be harmed,” Cunin told Fox News. “No sooner did she and her staff contact each of the parents that the traffic jam had come together, and it was a real incredible task to make sure that everybody was safely back with their family,” he said.
“As we see, this horrendous, devastating fire is continuing to rage. Our hearts go out to the men and women, children and families who have been devastated by this; thousands of people are without homes. So many iconic spaces in our little town have been completely burnt down. It’s really a time for us all to come together and be there for each other and support each other,” he said.
The rabbi added that he and his family “have no idea about our own home; several of our own children and grandchildren live locally and are working with the community. We’ve all been evacuated.”
Cunin and his staff managed to rescue the Torah scrolls from the campus; 16 public menorahs that were in storage and assorted vehicles used to transport children and seniors were destroyed by the flames.
Miraculously, the Chabad Jewish Community Center campus building itself remained intact, Cunin told ABC News anchor Linsey Davis.
Cunin also expressed deep thanks to the emergency personnel who helped get the children to safety.
“My thanks to the incredible first responders who are working the impossible; I was born and raised in California and have seen many fires, but this is really unbelievable,” Cunin told reporters.
Flames Threaten ‘Most Populous County’ in US
Los Angeles the most populous county in the United States with some 10 million residents, is at the heart of the flames.
By early Wednesday, more than 50,000 residents were ordered to evacuate due to three wildfires burning across the county – the Palisades fire, the Hurst fire and the Eaton (canyon) fire.
Nearly 100,000 residents were under evacuation advisories due to the “Eaton fire”, Angeles National Forest officials said.
Evacuation Orders
52,314 residents
20,890 structuresEvacuation Warnings
46,847 residents
18051 structures @LACoFDPIO @LASDHQ @CVLASD @PasadenaGov @CitySierraMadre @ArcadiaCityMgr— Angeles National Forest (@Angeles_NF) January 8, 2025
National Weather Service meteorologist Ariel Cohen, in charge of the Los Angeles branch, told CNN that “volatile” weather conditions had combined “with some of the most extreme, destructive, life-threatening windstorms that we’re getting across the area, with bone-dry conditions.”
Cohen urged residents to comply with evacuation orders: “Everyone needs to be thoughtful, thinking ahead, make sure you’re planning . . . I’m pleading with you, if you get the evacuation order from emergency management, take it seriously and evacuate. Your life will depend on it,” he said.
The Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center was destroyed in the conflagration of the Eaton fire.
Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center has been completely engulfed in flames in the Eaton fire in the LA area.
The Torahs were taken out of the building before the fire.
My heart is with the Jewish community in Los Angeles and everyone suffering in this horrible disaster. pic.twitter.com/d6ZsZgY4S3
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) January 8, 2025
Firefighters battling the growing blaze say they are running out of water, and firefighting aircraft were grounded due to heavy winds.
“The hydrants are down,” one firefighter said over the radio, according to the Los Angeles Times. “Water supply just dropped,” another reported.
As of 1 am local time Wednesday, some 23,000 acres had been burned with all three fires at zero percent containment.
