For years, renowned fire experts Jack Cohen and Stephen Pyne have tried to shift the conversation on fire prevention strategies. This week’s destruction, they say, could have been minimized.

Wildfires which have killed at least 11 people and left behind widespread destruction in Los Angeles County continue to burn Friday while more strong winds and challenging weather conditions are forecasted for the coming days.

As a Los Angeles resident, I’ve personally seen dozens of peers opening their doors to those in evacuation zones, fostering displaced pets, rushing to donate necessities, and doing whatever they can to spread the word about urgent resources—from local evacuation shelters and restaurants offering free food to ways to stay safe from smoke inhalation —all while monitoring wildfire apps like Watch Duty and preparing for their own potential evacuations.