Three LA wildfire victims on surviving the horror and what happened next

"Few among the nearly 10 million people who live in Los Angeles county were left untouched by last year's disastrous firestorm. Driven by strong winds through parched vegetation, multiple fires exploded in quick succession last January, and devoured roughly 16,000 structures on all sides of LA. Thirty-one lives were lost and thousands more were forever changed. For many, a new chapter of the disaster began to unfold when the flames were extinguished, while the slow road"

"to recovery started to take shape in the year that followed. Their stories reflect the shared chaos that comes when lives and livelihoods are upended, but also the distinct ways climate disasters leave a mark on those affected by them. The Altadena family that moved five times in a year: It is a great tragedy that befell our town but people are still showing up' Elliott Hostetter and his wife thought they'd found their forever home."

"They'd spent 10 years in Altadena, raising two kids, growing an abundant garden filled with the chatter of their chickens and ducks, in a friendly and diverse neighborhood that made Los Angeles feel more like a small town. Then in January, they lost everything. Most of the spring was spent just dealing with various levels of shock, Hostetter said, recounting the months he spent seeking stability for his children after they lost their house and school."

Nearly 10 million people in Los Angeles county experienced impacts from a January firestorm driven by strong winds that swept through parched vegetation. Multiple fires exploded in quick succession and destroyed roughly 16,000 structures across LA, killing 31 people and altering thousands of lives. Recovery unfolded slowly over the following year as survivors faced displacement, shock, and the challenge of rebuilding livelihoods. One Altadena family lost their home, spent months seeking stability, and moved five times in a year, entering their fifth temporary dwelling before the end of 2025. Evacuation, debris, and uncertainty about rebuilding left memories vivid and decisions fraught.

Read at www.theguardian.com