In the midst of the chaos, we focused on doing whatever we could to save our home and help our neighbors. We spent hours watering the foliage and landscaping around our house, creating a buffer to prevent the flames from advancing further.
As we worked, we surveyed the neighborhood, taking photo documentation of the damage to provide residents with updates on the state of their homes. We knew how desperate people were for any news, and sharing these images feels like a small way to offer some clarity in the uncertainty.
Part of our time there was spent attempting a search and rescue mission for a resident who had posted on Nextdoor, desperate for help retrieving her animals. Her home was completely destroyed, and as we called out, hoping to hear a response, the silence was deafening. The heartbreak of imagining beloved pets trapped and lost in the chaos was almost too much to bear. Our family, which includes three dogs, felt a deep sense of empathy for anyone who had suffered such a loss.
Additionally, we drove around delivering what little food remained consumable from our fridge to the firefighters. These brave men and women were exhausted, working tirelessly against impossible odds, and it felt important to show our gratitude in any way we could. Their courage and determination inspired us to keep going, even as the situation around us seemed insurmountable.
Reflection and resilience
The Palisades Fire, and the fires in the greater Los Angeles areas, are more than just another wildfire in California’s long history of blazes—they are ongoing disasters that underscore the fragility of our city. They highlight the urgent need for better infrastructure, more reliable emergency response resources, and a reevaluation of fire prevention measures in high-risk areas.
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The Pasilades Fire is more than a periodical fire
(Photo: Jonathan and David Hakakian)
For those who lost everything, the road to recovery will be long and difficult. The scars of the fire will remain—both in the landscape and in the hearts of those who call the city home. Yet amid the destruction, there is also resilience. Neighbors are banding together, offering shelter and support to those displaced. First responders worked tirelessly, even though the odds are against them. Acts of kindness emerge from the ashes, proving that even in moments of immense tragedy, the spirit of community endures.
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For our family, this experience is reinforcing what truly matters: the people we love and the memories we carry with us. Everything else, no matter how irreplaceable it seems, can be rebuilt. In times of destruction, let us all practice gratitude for what remains—our health, our families, our friends. The power of community has shown us that together, we can endure even the darkest moments. Let us offer a prayer for those who have lost and must start anew. May they find strength, solace, and the support of those around them as they begin to rebuild their lives.