After the fire destroyed the home for nearly 60 years, Toni Raines’ parents were not sure if they could rebuild. Their neighborhood in Altadena is gone. One friend couldn’t survive. In the midst of so much suffering, uncertainty and overwhelming information, where do they begin?
This is the town where Raines was raised, where she went to kindergarten, elementary school and high school. She began her own research to distill the facts to her parents in the 80s. Her sister also lost her home. And I decided to do everything I could to help the community rebuild. On a recent afternoon she gathered over a dozen architects and contractors to vet them to meet with residents within Pasadena Church. The goal was to provide answers.
“People who have lost everything are owed accuracy,” said Reigns, 59.
More than two months after Eton Fire torested Altadena, questions have arisen about residents eager to return. It’s a wonder how long it takes to rebuild the debris, keep sifting, and shifting the foundations, and mostly hotels, air mattresses, shelters in temporary housing, what the process will require, and whether the wait can be managed.
Toni Raines examines the damages on his parents’ property that was destroyed by Eton Fire.
(William Leanne / For the era)
The fire destroyed more than 6,000 residential properties, affecting nearly 800 more. The March 31 deadline for opting in or out of the Army Corps of Engineers’ debris removal program is approaching soon. Los Angeles County Public Works has opted to clean up in Altadena and received over 5,000 forms that have around 200 forms opted out. However, the agency is still assessing how many property owners have not responded.
After the cleanup phase, if the building is permitted, the process may take some time. At the town hall within Victory Bible Church, a contractor estimated a timeline of about 18 months from permit to design and construction, noting that “similar” plans could promote permits. County officials are encouraging residents to begin the reconstruction process now, avoiding a backlog of permit requests that could slow the process down.
Care for fire-resistant materials is key to areas where you may face another fire. Most of the houses destroyed in Altadena were built decades ago. Jeff Bailey, the fire chief for Cal Fire and Raines’ brother, reminded residents that such homes, including parents, require up-to-date standards.
“There are a lot of codes that didn’t apply when the house was built in the ’60s,” he said. “So, along with those planning on rebuilding, the developers here will be using those code based on what the law is.”
Contractor Alison Alleyne noted that the requirements for restructuring are evolving “moving targets.”
“There is no structural guidance for engineering, cross-section, foundation or roof planning,” she said.
The state needs new homes that include solar panels, double panned windows and fire sprinklers. However, the LA County Board of Supervisors requested Gov. Gavin Newsom to suspend some of the state’s building laws in areas that have been devastated by the fire.
“We don’t want these requirements to be a burden to those who have lost everything,” director Katherine Berger said at a recent community conference. “We know that implementing solar, battery storage and other curing opportunities benefits residents. But likewise, I know at the Chief Sustainability Office to prioritize all funding opportunities, grants and resources at the county level.”
Altadena resident Richard Pallay simply wants facts about how to rebuild.
“Don’t be optimistic, don’t be pessimistic, just be realistic. Tell me what it looks like. Tell me what the journey looks like,” he said.
Like many others in Altadena, his home on Altadena Drive has a multi-generational connection. It is where his wife grew up and where they raised their children. Wearing a baseball cap “rebuilding Altadena”, he promises to come back on his own terms.
“Let me measure it myself. Please don’t shake my opinion.”
The builder’s forum included some connections to Altadena. They were there to provide insight into the design and construction process to many people who have never experienced it before, and to provide a connection with what they are trying to rebuild and provide comfort with their residents. Architect and pastor Ariel Babikian grew up in Altadena. He said he didn’t have all the answers yet, but he was sure the community would return to the house where he felt like he was.
“Your home will be rebuilt,” he preached. “I believe in the grace of God.”
Various ideas emerged about how communities could be rebuilt after the fire broke out. A group of architects are trying to create an online catalog of home build designs for residents who don’t want to start from scratch. Other residents are forming a coalition to develop a rethinked community plan when the cleanup is complete and the building can begin. Raines hopes that the group she has gathered can work to rebuild in tandem. There, architects and contractors hope to work together between organizations and residents can volunteer their time for work.
Green leaves began to appear at their homes on Wapello Street.
(William Leanne / For the era)
However, for some, there is a continuing information gap. Raines, who organized the town hall with the Altadena Talks Foundation (resident podcasts and resource hub), said it is of particular concern for the elderly, who make up a large part of the town’s population. They may not be on social media, she said, where information is widely shared. They may still be dealing with their grief.
“It’s hard to ask them to take the next stage when you’re throwing information out there and there’s all these deadlines and people aren’t totally saddened that their entire lives are gone,” she said.
Raines is thinking of a mother who doesn’t want to cook in the apartment she currently lives in, as she is not a kitchen on Wapelo Street. She recently contacted Babikian about building a new home in the style of the old one, but was unable to sift through the ruins of the property, where leaves began to grow again on old oak trees and flowers began to bloom throughout the burnt neighbourhood. The pain of what was lost is still fresh.
“My greatest prayer is God, let me not leave this earth until they return to their home,” Raines said. “That’s the only thing I want.”
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