'It's pretty wild out there': Canadian living in L.A. describes life near wildfires

The constant smell of smoke is a reminder all over Los Angeles, even in neighbourhoods far from the flames, that the fight against wildfires isn’t over.

A Canadian who has lived in the city for three years described unusually quiet streets and restaurants that are half-full, as fumes from the flames keep people away.

“The air quality in the office is pretty bad,” said Phon Rajvong, who lived in Canada his entire life before taking a job in L.A.

“Within, you know, an hour they just told us to just go home, or go work somewhere else.”

He told CTV News the winds have been intense, and that blue skies are quickly swallowed by dark smoke.

“I had some colleagues that are close to the fires, that are actually wearing masks indoors in their house because it smelt so bad,” said Rajvong.

Some of his friends and colleagues have been comforting loved ones who have lost their homes, or are convinced they’ve been destroyed.

Strong winds began igniting neighbourhood after neighbourhood on Wednesday. Thousands of structures have been destroyed in the deadly fire.

“Everyone thinks the Palisades fire is like the only one going on right now, or at least a lot of people that I know – but it’s certainly not, this fire is all over L.A.,” said resident Luke Albert.

Boil water advisories have also been issued in some areas, because so much ash has fallen into the supply.

“It’s pretty wild out there,” said Rajvong.

But he also reporting seeing generosity, with neighbour helping neighbour.