"Little did she know, those winds weren't just a harbinger of fire-they marked the beginning of a crisis that would leave lasting scars on her Altadena community. She watched in disbelief as the Eaton Fire raged through California's San Gabriel Mountains, creeping close to the outdoor slide and toys in her yard, which she would later find melted into the artificial grass."
"Today, on the one-year anniversary of the blaze, it's clear the fire wasn't just an environmental disaster; it upended the everyday rhythms of life for Lewis and many other child-care providers across Los Angeles. Nearly 60 percent of licensed child-care sites in Altadena were damaged or destroyed, according to data from the Pasadena Community Foundation. "Everything outside was completely destroyed, demolished and unrecognizable," said Lewis, adding that the condition inside her home was no better."
Santa Ana winds preceded the Eaton Fire in the San Gabriel Mountains, which approached a home-based day care and melted outdoor toys into artificial grass. Fire sirens and acrid smoke forced evacuation as nearby homes and child-care sites burned. Nearly 60 percent of licensed child-care sites in Altadena were damaged or destroyed, displacing providers and children. Soot permeated interiors, ruining carpets and furnishings. One provider lived in hotels and with family while repairing a home and discarding equipment used for child care. Initial emergency subsidies covered only 30 days, leaving many providers facing ongoing recovery costs and limited support.
Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
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