Filipino's home razed in California wildfire

The home of a Filipino family was among the thousands affected by the wildfire in California.

"Meron tayong alam na isang Pilipinong naapektuhan na nawalan ng bahay sa Paradise town pero 'yung kanyang pamilya ay ligtas naman," Philippine Consul General Henry Bensurto Jr.said in an interview on GMA News TV's "Balitanghali" on Thursday.

The Filipino's family was temporarily taking refuge in Chico, a nearby city that serves as an evacuation area for affected residents.

"Ligtas sila in terms of physical health but mukhang 'yung bahay nila sa Paradise mukhang natupok, but as you know Filipinos are always resilient. We all pray for them," he added.

Bensurto noted that 25,000 Paradise residents were affected by the wildfire that has now lasted for two weeks.

Eighty-three cadavers have been found by the search and retrieval team but only six have been identified so far.

The Philippine consul said they are still monitoring for other Filipinos affected by the incident.

Bensurto said that the wildfire is expected to be totally extinguished by the end of November.

The rains predicted in the coming days bring both good and bad news to the California residents.

"Makakatulong ito para masugpo 'yung apoy. Makakatulong din ito para mawala 'yung pollutants sa air dito kasi for the past week also masama ang timpla ng hangin dito sa San Francisco, talagang hazardous... may mga mask 'yung mga tao para maproteksyunan," Bensurto said.

"Ang downside naman niyan kalbo na yung topsoil... 'pag umulan malaki ang posibilidad na magkaroon ng mudslide," he added.

Monitoring of the situation, as well as search and retrieval operations, in the razed town are still ongoing. —Dona Magsino/ LDF, GMA News