Los Angeles: The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have ravaged both the glamorous celebrity neighborhoods and less affluent areas, leaving survivors feeling neglected. Celebrities like Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, and Eugene Levy have lost their homes in the fires that have swept through the city, claiming at least five lives and destroying over 1,100 buildings.
Six major wildfires have been burning across Los Angeles County, with the Pacific Palisades, home to many Hollywood stars, facing the worst devastation since the fires began on Tuesday. By Wednesday night, another fire broke out in Runyon Canyon, forcing the evacuation of parts of the iconic Hollywood Hills neighborhood.
At 76, Billy Crystal and his wife, Janice, confirmed that they lost their home of 46 years in Pacific Palisades. They shared this heartbreaking news in a statement on Wednesday. Despite their wealth, they are not immune to the destruction caused by the relentless flames.
The Devastation of Altadena: A Forgotten Community
While the world’s attention has focused on the destruction of celebrity homes near Malibu, a similar-sized fire has torn through Altadena, a racially and economically diverse suburb to the north of Los Angeles. The once peaceful suburb, nestled beneath the San Gabriel mountains, now lies in ruins. Smoldering debris and burned-out cars are all that remain in what was once a tight-knit community of Black and Latino families, as well as younger professionals and artists attracted by the town's charm and access to nature.
Residents of Altadena have expressed concern that their neighborhood is being overlooked in favor of wealthier, more high-profile areas. Many fear that government aid and insurance payouts will favor the wealthy, leaving less affluent families struggling to rebuild.
Kay Young, a 63-year-old local, stood among the charred remains of her family’s home, which had been passed down through generations. She shared her frustration, saying, “They’re not going to give you the value of your house... if they do you really have to fight for it.”
Inez Moore, a 40-year-old lecturer at California State University, whose home was also destroyed, shared similar worries. She explained that many residents of Altadena do not have the financial resources or experience to navigate the complex systems of insurance claims and government support, which could leave them financially disadvantaged in comparison to wealthier suburbs.
A Feeling of Neglect
Many Altadena residents reported not seeing fire trucks in their area when they fled from the flames early Wednesday morning. This lack of immediate response has fueled feelings of neglect, with locals wondering why their community was not prioritized. Jocelyn Tavares, 32, who lost her home, said, “We didn’t get help here. I don’t know where everybody was,” as she sifted through the debris, which included a half-melted bicycle and a cup miraculously spared from the flames.
In response to complaints, the Los Angeles County Fire Department has yet to provide a statement.
The Impact of the Eaton Fire
The Eaton Fire, which started on Tuesday night, has claimed at least five lives and scorched over 13,000 acres by Thursday night. The fire continues to ravage Altadena, an unincorporated community of around 40,000 people, most of whom are now dealing with the aftermath.
Once a predominantly white community, Altadena has evolved since the 1960s into a more racially diverse area, with significant populations of Black and Latino families. Today, the neighborhood is home to 18% Black, 49% white, and 27% Hispanic or Latino residents. Many of these residents are concerned about the future of the area. As property values have soared, the worry is that the area will become more gentrified, forcing out long-time residents who may not be able to afford the costs of rebuilding after the destruction of their homes.
In the 1970s, many Altadena residents purchased three-bedroom homes for around $50,000. Today, those same homes are worth over $1 million, which adds to the financial burden of rebuilding.
Community Spirit Amid Destruction
Despite the overwhelming damage, many residents of Altadena remain optimistic about the community’s resilience. They share stories of narrow escapes and reflect on the decades spent growing up together. For them, the sense of community remains strong, and they are determined to rebuild and rise from the ashes of the destruction.