Sun Jan 12 22:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Appleton Filmmaker Witnesses Devastating LA Wildfires, Offers Support
**Neenah, WI** – Appleton native and Los Angeles-based film director Michael Sajbel is offering a firsthand account of the catastrophic wildfires currently ravaging parts of Los Angeles. Speaking to NBC 26 Neighborhood Reporter Ezekiel Telemaco, Sajbel described the scene as “apocalyptic,” sharing images from his flight out of the city showing widespread smoke and destruction.
Sajbel, who maintains a home in Los Angeles, witnessed the rapid escalation of the fires firsthand, arriving just days before the intense winds ignited the blazes. While his own home remains unharmed, he reports that several close friends have lost their homes in the Pacific Palisades area, with others currently under evacuation warnings.
In response to the crisis, Sajbel has opened his home to two families displaced by the fires. He expressed deep concern not only for his friends but also for the broader impact on the Los Angeles community, highlighting the loss of businesses, jobs, and the overall scale of the devastation. He compared the scene to a “nuclear bomb going off.”
Despite the overwhelming scale of the disaster, Sajbel remains optimistic about Los Angeles’s ability to rebuild, stressing the need for time and outside support. He emphasized the resilience of the city and its people. The interview highlights the human impact of the wildfires and Sajbel’s personal efforts to help those affected.
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