As multiple wildfires have destroyed thousands of homes in the Los Angeles area, some residents have gone to great lengths — and often great expense — to try to shield their homes from destruction.

Despite the catastrophic damage, all-encompassing stress and unhealthy air quality, many neighbors have stepped up to assist one another.

With Southern California ablaze, the lack of water leaves many wondering, why not use ocean water to combat fires? How many of these 11 hit movies of the 1970s can you guess from the image? Remember your number,

Check out this video of what is a “fire whirl” or as many often refer to it, “fire tornado”. This phenomenon actually is not a tornado and occurs during large wildfires when rising hot air combines with the “whirling” wind causing the fire to form a shape like a column.

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.