Thousands of structures have been burned down in Altadena. Residents wonder what the rebuilt community will look like and who will return to protect the town’s spirit.
Miles Loudermilk’s family home survived the fire of Eton. However, the neighborhood where he grew up was destroyed. The smell of toxic smoke lasts long in Atadena, and the house still standing on West Terrace Street boards as residents leave.
His parents are in their 70s. They never thought of moving. But a month after the fire tore their town apart, Loudermilk’s families and other residents found themselves at a crossroads about whether to stay and rebuild the community or leave.
“The scenery around the area has been declared. Loudermilk, 54, said:
“Altadena is not for sale” became a rally scream throughout the neighborhood. More and more garden signs dot the burning areas where the rich tapestry of the house once stood. The eclectic community that wasn’t built into was a draw for many. Today, in many blocks, the only remaining part of the town’s history is trees.
“Everyone loved Altadena in their own way, but the wildness and freedom of it is very important to people,” said Hans Olhoff, chairman of Altadena’s heritage. “I think there are concerns that a supervised, regulated restructuring will lead to losing some of that.”
Allhoff continues to evacuate after losing his home in the Sunny Oaks Circle in the fire. He understands that people have to make the best decision for them. He also hopes that the community will be slowed down and that they can work together to develop plans to move forward.
The list has appeared in recent days for the land burning amid the fire. At least one property is for sale. If residents do not promise that many of the community unite and return to the country, and that the vacant property will go to those who maintain the sanctity of the town, then Altadena is not only a spiritual one, but also a spiritual one. I’m afraid that I can revive what I can’t recognize.
Before the fire, about 42,000 people lived in Altadena. The town of Foothill served as an enclave for artists and independent thinkers who preferred a small town atmosphere over the stolen stomps of other parts of the county. It was not uncommon to own chickens or horses. View. It was home to about 10,500 residents, and many businesses operated locally in the community.
The family planted multi-generational roots, including a historic black neighborhood on the West Side.
Joe Kiranowski, a resident of Altadena and a board member of Pasadena Heritage, said that different benefits are needed to ensure that every part of the community is represented in a new vision.
“How do you rebuild such a community? It’s not done by some people who want to create a homogeneous, monotonous world,” he said.
On a recent rainy night, Loudermilk took his parents to City Hall in the hopes of learning more about where the community stood on the issue. Alongside the hundreds of people gathered in the congregation church in La Cañada, they sought answers and inspiration.
“They are just trying to get a sense of security that Altadena will survive, and that won’t be carried over to a big developer,” Loudermilk said of their parents’ dilemma.
Freddie Seig is a resident of Altadena, whose home survived Eton Fire, but some of his family members have lost their homes.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Freddie Seig held the event. His parents’ home on Gaywood Drive, where he grew up, burned out in the fire. It was a central encounter place for his family. They were just celebrating Christmas together.
The sight of what remains is painful.
“It always takes my breath away when I come here. Sayegh, 51, stood inside the tiled rub in his bedroom, said, “I’m like I’m five years old.” I tumbled into and rubbed my knees here. When my children were born, they leaned into this house. When my grandparents died, they leaned into this house. Funerals, gatherings – this was the heart of our community.”
He continues to evacuate while his own home on Sonoma Drive remains alive. He promises to come back and his mission is to unite the community, but he knows that rebuilding is not easy.
“Everyone says, ‘Thank God that your house is still standing.” But what does that mean? When all schools, did all churches disappear? ” Sayegh said. “Every time I leave the house, I will see devastation.”
At the Town Hall meeting, representatives of FEMA and SMEs were sought to reassure residents that resources were available to help rebuild if they chose. FEMA encouraged residents to apply for assistance even if insurance provides assistance, and said the SBA, despite its name, would also help homeowners. Real estate and insurance experts have instructed residents to take the time to decide what to do next.
Leslie Aitken, a 49-year-old resident of Altadena, runs a Facebook page for a community that has thousands of people lost her home in the fire. She hopes that Altadena will be rebuilt, but she pleads on behalf of senior residents who may eventually want to leave.
“Be kind to us, because we may not be 15 years before us. Most of our years are in Altadena, behind us, and I Some of them will have to make really difficult decisions,” she said. According to the US Census, over 21% of residents are over 65 years old. This is above the national average, below 18%.
“Don’t make them pariahs.”
Heavenly Hughes helped organize a recent meeting at Altadena.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Since the fire, neighbors Lark Crable, 72, and 38-year-old Sofia Newton Wellcomb said they were attacked with calls and messages from real estate agents asking if they were interested in selling the property. They remained immovable in returning to their homes – only a few who survived on their streets – but they know that others decide differently.
“I have a place to go back, but not all of my friends,” Crable said in a recent rally that’s not on sale in Altadena. “I have friends who say they’re going to sell. It’s too many for them – they can’t do that.”
Heavenly Hughes, 49, is a lifelong Altadena resident who helped organize Larry. Her home on Altadena Drive has overcome the fire, but she will have to break after the smoke damage, she said. She said she has been evacuated for probably 18 months but plans to return.
Hughes’ nonprofit My Tribe Rise is a mutual aid organization focused on the black community. She is about to reach residents who are not sure if their future is tied to the town, and believes the community must act together to protect the future of Altadena.
“We want to make sure that officials, county supervisors, governors, those who are making decisions for our Altadena are at the forefront of their message and their actions.” said Hughes. “We know the Altadena we were raised and developed, we created here. We don’t have any more visuals. But we are a community, we are the culture of Altadena. , we are the people of Altadena. And we will not be erased.”
LA County Superintendent Catherine Berger, who oversees Latadena, has introduced a committee focusing on recovery efforts. Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed more than $2.5 billion in disaster relief benefits to communities affected by wildfires here and in Palisades in the Pacific, as well as leaders such as Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), including Altadena. did.
However, residents are worried that other people in Los Angeles County will focus on preparing for the 2028 Olympics and the 2026 World Cup. Sayegh’s first city hall was rescheduled in anticipation of President Trump’s visit to California after the wildfire. But Trump never reached Altadena.
Altadena Evacuees Zaira de La Cruz, 26, upper right, daughter Omi de la Cruz, 2, and 48-year-old Aunt Lily Vargas, will be attending a rally in support of Eton Fire’s victims.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
At City Hall, Sayegh created a pitch for collective action. Communities need to form a coalition to rebuild. He believed that if they approached the contractor as a group and raised materials together, he would save money and secure a smoother path to recovery.
“We have to fight for each other because it’s about us, our neighbors and everyone who cares about you,” Sayegh said.
Stephen Lamb was sold at Seig’s suggestion. The designer has lost his home in Altadena and is not planning to sell it. He said he wanted to declare his land a park rather than selling it to the developers, he said. Ram and others said they were on board to lend their services and help.
Others were worried. One woman who lost her home says she is overwhelmed by the path ahead and believes that the community needs to dream big, but she still makes sense for her I’m evaluating whether it’s true.
Loudermilk was cheered up. This was the motivation he and his parents needed to move forward, and to imagine what the rebuilt community would look like.
“You know there’s a cohesiveness,” he said. “It’s just adorable city and I don’t think people want to let it go.”
Before the meeting ended, singer Aloe Black, whose children lost school in a fire, delivered the familiar song.
When you’re not strong, lean against me.
I will be your friend.
I’ll help you continue.
The crowd roared in the chorus.
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