EVERY year Los Angeles braces itself for wildfires. It is not uncommon to see flames torching the hills and even houses burning to the ground.

But many residents have never witnessed anything as devastating as this week. And it’s nowhere near over.

I spent time near Pacific Palisades, where thick smoke filled the air, and saw desperate families fleeing the city while others begged police to give them access to their properties as roads were blocked off.

“Everything is gone” was heard many times, as thousands of people were left homeless and with few possessions.

I was lucky to only have the power go out in my home, but I’ll never forget what I witnessed traveling throughout the city.

It was like a war zone.

During a visit to a shelter, I spoke with a resident who has lived in his home for almost 30 years and is battling cancer. He stayed long after he was told to pack up and go.

It was only when flames began leaping around his building that he finally gathered his belongings and ran out.

I reported from Altadena, where buildings were still engulfed in flames, and few fire trucks were in sight as emergency services were overwhelmed.

Cars and school buses were completely torched, and heartbroken families stood around in shock, not being able to process what had happened.

As the sun went down, I drove back home towards the city center, which I felt was safe, until I saw orange flames leaping behind buildings just minutes from my house.

I felt sick. I’ve never known wildfires so close to Hollywood, and suddenly, phones were blaring with emergency notifications to evacuate the area.

Traffic lights and street lamps were out, and areas filled with fallen trees from the strong winds became gridlocked.

I feel extremely lucky I live minutes outside of the evacuation zone, but friends panicked and fled their homes.

Although many worldwide will merely shrug when they hear wealthy people have lost their homes, the reality is very different.

The city as a whole feels broken, everyone from single mothers to elderly people have been through hell.

And people are angry.

Dozens have spoken of their insurance policies being canceled just months before the fires, while others are reeling over alleged corruption and mismanagement.

They may be angry. But they are also hopeful. The people of Los Angeles are made of strong stuff.

We will get through this. And we will rebuild.