LOS ANGELES — On Tuesday, many residents of Los Angeles returned to Pacific Palisades, a community severely affected by wildfire, as authorities began allowing vehicles back into the charred area for the first time. This marked an opportunity for most individuals to slowly begin examining the remnants of their former homes.
As they sifted through the ashes and debris, many were surprised to discover items that had managed to survive, including both treasured mementos and ordinary objects that now held a greater significance. Jack Hassett, 22, who was digging through his property, shared his reflections: “It’s nice to find those little things that, you know, at one point didn’t mean so much. Plates are plates. But now they’re, you know, a memory to sort of look back on. … It’s such a scary thing to see all this, but it’s really sort of beautiful in a way.”
Firefighters are nearing full containment of both the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, which started on January 7, fed by powerful Santa Ana winds. The wider area had been parched for eight months prior to recent significant rainfall. The Palisades Fire was the most destructive of the two, demolishing over 6,800 buildings and resulting in at least 12 fatalities.
In the morning hours, a long line of vehicles formed along the Pacific Coast Highway leading to a Santa Monica parking lot, where officials were issuing permits for re-entry into the burn zone. A curfew is still in place, aimed at preventing looting, and access prior to this week had relied on police escorts to specific locations.
As the sun shone brightly on Pacific Palisades, community members came back to the coastal space that was once filled with luxurious homes and breathtaking ocean views. Now, a sea of gray and black debris stretched out as far as the eye could see. Many individuals donned protective gear, taking precautions against potential exposure to toxic ash created from burnt vehicles, electronics, batteries, construction materials, and other household goods.
Tim Bearer stood amidst the remnants of his 93-year-old mother’s house, reflecting on the poignant scene before him. His stepbrother had captured video of the devastation shortly after the fire, providing a glimpse of what to expect upon return. Nonetheless, it was an emotional experience for Bearer as he searched for family keepsakes. To his relief, his mother’s golf putter was found bent yet largely intact. Beneath the ash, he uncovered a porcelain heart inscribed with “I love you mom,” which his sister had gifted, and he planned to take it to his mother, who is staying with friends in Santa Monica. “My mom will just lose it when I show her,” Bearer said lovingly.
Last week, city and county officials in Los Angeles took quick action to ramp up cleanup efforts and address environmental concerns tied to fire-related pollutants. The White House reported that President Trump had instructed federal agencies to assist local officials in these endeavors.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated federal land east of Los Angeles as a temporary storage location for hazardous materials. Yet, many local leaders raised alarms that Lario Park in the San Gabriel Valley could potentially turn into a permanent site for toxic waste. Hilda Solis, a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, expressed her concerns, stating, “While I recognize the importance of addressing the aftermath of the fire and ensuring proper disposal of hazardous waste, this federal project has not included consultation or consideration of the local communities that will be directly affected.”
Solis and others fear that harmful materials could pollute the air or leach into groundwater sources vital to hundreds of thousands of residents. The EPA has assured that it will institute regular air quality checks, conduct frequent soil testing, and implement dust control measures, with waste being transported daily on surface streets for safety.
In response to the devastation, California Governor Gavin Newsom has introduced a collaboration with local business leaders and elected representatives to aid wildfire recovery efforts in Los Angeles. At a news event held at Dodger Stadium, Newsom announced that the Mark Walter Family Foundation and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation are contributing up to $100 million to support rebuilding activities. Magic Johnson, the basketball icon, also expressed his intent to spearhead revitalization efforts in Altadena, a community significant to Black families throughout the years.
“We can’t lose hope,” Newsom emphasized, encouraging fire victims to engage with the philanthropic initiative known as LA Rises. “It is possible that we can come back more climate resilient, come back stronger.”
In Pacific Palisades, the message of unity and resilience resonated as Hassett’s sister displayed a sign thanking their neighbors, stating, “We can rebuild this beautiful town together.”
