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Tampa native studying at UCLA just five miles away from Palisades Fire: ‘Lots of panicking’

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Published  January 9, 2025 10:07pm EST
Tampa
FOX 13 News

Tampa native monitors fires at UCLA

FOX 13's Haley Hinds reports on a Tampa family that is closely monitoring the fires out west in California as their son, Keem James, is a political science student at UCLA, which is only five miles from the Palisades Fire.

The Brief

    • A Tampa native studying at UCLA is just five miles away from the Palisades Fire in California.
    • He said that he may come back to Florida sooner than expected if the fire gets any closer to his student apartment complex.
    • Firefighters continue to work non-stop to put out the flames.

TAMPA, Fla. - One family in the Tampa Bay area is closely monitoring the fires out west in California. Their son is studying at UCLA and is only five miles from the Palisades Fire. 

Keem James, a Tampa native, said it's like a fireplace outside his student apartment. 

"The odor from the fire has gotten very bad to the point we are required to shut the doors, windows and turn off air conditioning," James said. 

Pictured: Keem James' view of the Palisades Fire from his student apartment complex. 

READ: Los Angeles wildfires: National Guard steps in as looting arrests rise

He is currently studying political science at UCLA and may be back in Florida sooner than he thought if the fire gets any closer. 

"My dad wanted me to go back to Florida until the fire was taken care of," James said. 

Pictured: Keem James' view of the Palisades Fire from his student apartment complex. 

He said there’s not only a cloud of smoke over them, but an overwhelming feeling of worry and uncertainty around Los Angeles. 

MORE: Los Angeles wildfires latest: At least 7 dead as crews struggle to contain blazes

"Lots of panicking," James described. "People are trying to evaluate the situation and determine if they need to leave."

He explained he knows some families who lost everything. As the Palisades Fire grows, firefighters are working non-stop to put out the flames, and he can hear that at all hours. 

Pictured: Keem James' view of the Palisades Fire from his student apartment complex. 

"The whole entire night I hear helicopters flying over our student apartment complex," James said. 

READ: Federal government to cover 100% of LA wildfire disaster response, Biden announces

He knows he’s not alone. Everyone is concerned about what their city will look like, and if they will have to leave. 

"They are feeling the same as me," James explained. "Stressed out, trying to monitor the situation and prepare for when or if the fire makes it over here."

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