Far from Hollywood’s wealth: LA Fire survivors feel left behind

Far from Malibu’s glitz, Altadena residents are picking up the pieces. This tight-knit suburb, shadowed by the San Gabriel Mountains, now lies in ruins. Where rows of charming bungalows once stood, only smoking rubble and burned-out cars remain.

A tale of two fires

While Malibu’s celebrity neighborhoods grabbed headlines, Altadena’s firestorm quietly destroyed lives. The Eaton Canyon fire, just north of Los Angeles, torched this diverse community, home to Black, Latino, and young professionals.

Local families feel abandoned. Many fear aid will flow to high-profile areas instead. Insurance companies, they believe, will leave less affluent homeowners fighting for scraps.

“They’re not going to give you the value of your house,” said Kay Young, 63. Her family’s home of generations is now a pile of ashes. Tears welled in her eyes as she surveyed the wreckage.

Struggling to recover

Inez Moore, 40, lost her family home, too. She worries her neighbors won’t get fair insurance payouts. “People here don’t have the resources to navigate the system,” said Moore, a lecturer at California State University. “Some will get less than they deserve, while others might get more than they need.”

Residents claim fire engines were missing when flames engulfed Altadena early Wednesday. They fled with little warning, leaving everything behind.

“We didn’t get help here,” said Jocelyn Tavares, 32. She sifted through debris with her sister and daughter, finding only a melted bicycle and a single unbroken cup. “I don’t know where everyone was.”

The Los Angeles County Fire Department has not responded to requests for comment. Insurance giants, including State Farm and Allstate, issued vague statements about helping policyholders but dodged questions about Altadena’s concerns.

A community in crisis

The Eaton Fire erupted Tuesday night, spreading rapidly. By Thursday, it had claimed five lives and consumed 13,690 acres, wiping out much of northern Altadena. Once home to 40,000 people, the unincorporated community faces an uncertain future.

Altadena has changed dramatically over the years. In the 1960s, it was almost entirely white. As urban renewal projects displaced African Americans in Los Angeles, many families moved to Altadena, drawn by its affordability. In the 1970s, residents bought three-bedroom homes for $50,000. Those same homes now sell for over $1 million.

Today, Altadena’s population is a mix of Black, white, and Latino residents. But gentrification looms. Locals fear insurance setbacks will force longtime families out, paving the way for wealthier newcomers.

Rising from the ashes

Despite the devastation, Altadena’s spirit remains unbroken. Neighbors are rallying together, sharing stories of survival and resilience.

“There are rows of us who went to school together,” said Young, pointing to the scorched remains of homes. “We’ve shared decades of memories, and now we’re sharing this disaster.”

Michael McCarthy, 68, credits his neighbor for saving his home. While others fled, the neighbor stayed, dousing rooftops with a hose. “Everybody knows everybody here,” said McCarthy, a clerk set to retire this year. “We’ll rebuild. That’s my new job now.”

Altadena’s future may be uncertain, but its community’s determination burns bright. They’ve weathered the fire. Now, they’re ready to fight for what’s theirs.