The wildfires in southern California blazed out of control fanned by ferocious Santa Ana winds that often hit 80 mph over extremely dry terrain. Embers the size of your fist blew for long distances further igniting the inferno. On January 7, 2025, the decimation of Pacific Palisades and Altadena (Eaton Fire) started and quicky decimated more than 15,000 structures and scorched 40,000 acres. It is the worst natural disaster in California’s history.
This is an example of nature not being wondrous but horribly destructive. Many of my friends lost everything in these fires and are grateful to have escaped with their lives and their pets.
Firefighters and the National Guards worked 12-hour shifts. The Rose Bowl was quickly converted in a staging area for the Eaton fire and housed 4,000 first responders. Massive trailers and tents provided sleeping quarters, shower facilities, a laundry, a medical facility and physical therapy trailer. Two kitchens served thousands of meals a day.
And yet, while the fires blazed and with thousands of families displaced, Los Angeles responded with a amazing generosity showing community spirit and strength.
Friends and family took in those displaced. Air BnB, Hilton and other hotels offered free housing to fire victims. Animal shelters and stables were opened for pets, horses and other displaced animals. Laundromats offered firefighters free services. Restaurants and coffee shops served free food to those who lost their homes. The L.A. Pizza alliance formed in Chinatown to deliver thousands of pizzas to first responders, displaced individuals and volunteer workers. Bookstores opened their doors for coffee and a safe place for people to gather and share their stories.
Countless local non-profits organized donation centers and were over-whelmed with donations of clothing, blankets, supplies, pet food and water.
People and corporations from around the world donated to thousands of recipients such as United Way, Red Cross, Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity and go fund me accounts.
Even as we grieve, this generosity fosters hope and strength as we navigate the long road ahead to recovery. This spirit of community, supporting people who lost so much, is a demonstration of humanity’s best.
A beautiful and touching commentary. Thanks for sharing, Susan!
Such lovely storytelling, Susan. We lost our home and have received much kindness and generosity.
Hi Janell, I’m so sorry to hear you lost your beautiful house. where are you living now? I hope you are doing okay. this is a
horrible thing to happen to your family, God bless you all….
Such a lovely presentation of such a horrific occurrence. You said it was such love and honesty. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Thank you Susan, I am working on my dissertation proposal right now on the subject of Restorative Narrative which shows the progression of survivors of natural disasters and life traumas from devastation to hope and resilience. I suppose I became inspired during the fires here in Santa Rosa in 2017. The 1st responders and community’s response to neighbors helping each other was phenomenal to witness. Thank you for highlighting the light in the dark. Love you! (I put my website address in but its not active till March 1st).
Since we lost our home in the Palisades fire, Bud and I have been overwhelmed with the kindness of others. Friends and complete strangers have offered help. While shopping for new clothes, since I lost everything I owned, stores immediately gave me 25% off everything I bought. One store even found some clothing items in the back of the store that had not sold and GAVE them to me. The kindness of people shone through the darkness of tragedy!
Thank you Susan for this eloquent portrayal of that horrible disaster. Yes, the best responses and support from our community cohesiveness. Our son in El Segundo had smoke and our daughter in Chula Vista was on evacuation notice for that southern border fire. Prayers for rebuilding now.
Beautifully shared, Susan. I worried for my old neighborhood and friends during this tragic event. We also had friends who lost everything.
Thank you for the this story. It is heartwarming to read about how generous people have been
for those who lost their homes.
We lived in P.P. for 35 wonderful years. My daughter gave one of her friends there a gorgeous
ceramic nurse stautue which stayed in the living room. When the house went down the
lovely statue was still there.
Susan, thank you for this deeply compassionate, fully factual account of the Fires’ tragedy that touched so many in our community. I love that you wrote about the wonderful, extensive community generosity in individuals and groups. Yes, we now have to rebuild and can’t forget that for many that will take a long time. Love and gratitude to you and to those who are finding the strength within that allows rebuilding, creating and being hopeful.