Angelica Ramos
Contributing Writer
CHRISTIANSBURG- Due to the fires in California, Christiansburg Mayor Michael Barber held the moment of silence before the pledge of allegiance to reflect upon the current events.
The new year started off for residents of California with fires ravaging the Palisades and Eaton, California. In the time since the fires started, according to the Las Angeles Times, 56 % of the fires in the Palisades have been contained as of this past Sunday and 81% in Eaton. Both fires began January 7, 2025. Both fires combined currently have a death toll of 27 people and have burned approximately 37,700 acres of land including thousands of homes, businesses and other structures.
At the beginning of the Jan. 14, 2025 Christiansburg Town Council meeting, Barber held a moment of reflection for those who have lost their homes, lives and livelihood in these fires as they continue to rage and responders continue to contain. Christiansburg and Montgomery County are no strangers to natural disasters and the losses that come with that. In 2024, a moment of silence was held by Barber during a town council meeting as well after a hurricane hit the east coast and caused flooding, destruction and lives lost. Montgomery County experienced that destruction as flooding affected many residents and the county experienced the loss of a beloved teacher and many residents’ properties. As a community still healing from that, it’s only natural that the communities’ thoughts and prayers go out to those suffering.
“I’d like to take a moment of reflection,” Mayor Barber said, “and I hope you’ll keep the citizens of California and Los Angeles in your thoughts and prayers with the horrific fires that are going on out there. So, let’s take a moment to reflect.”
Many residents of California have been evacuated and many are still waiting to learn if they have homes to return to.