LA fires: Marking myself safe

and thinking about the long road to being okay

California poppies. Photo by the author.

Hello friends. As you know, the Los Angeles area is experiencing devastating wildfires. The extent of the fires and evacuations has been hard to comprehend, even for me. I wanted to share a sense of proximity/geography and context for those unfamiliar with the area.

First, I am safe.

I live 30 miles east of the Eaton fire, and for now, we are safe.

Some of you may know that I work in Pasadena. The commute is a straight drive west on the 210 freeway. I typically don't make stops along the way except for the areas close to school. I'll grab a coffee, meet friends for lunch, stop in the small, independently-owned shops in Altadena or Pasadena, or wander through one of the many gardens. I've hiked or painted in the area’s foothills, including Eaton Canyon. The areas affected by the Eaton fire hold special meaning for me.

ArtCenter, where I graduated from and taught for 16 years, is in an area of Pasadena immediately to the west of Altadena, and Altadena is where the Eaton fire is centered. Pasadena and Altadena are about 15-20 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. The mountain range you see in the background during the Rose Bowl game is our view from campus and Altadena. The college is safe. However, many faculty and staff live close to the college. Most of the folks in my extended campus community live in Altadena, Pasadena, or other nearby cities. I would guess that almost everyone I know who lives in Altadena, Pasadena, and the surrounding areas had to evacuate.

The college does not have on-campus housing. Students live in homes or apartments in the communities around campus. They form small hubs of peer support but also become part of the community. So, while the college is safe, that doesn't mean that on-campus student housing has been spared, as there is none. Several students have lost their homes, work, and equipment.

Many students stay in the area after they graduate. There are alumni who have homes, studios, and businesses in the area.

The number of people in my extended circles who have lost their homes is heartbreaking. Every day I learn about more friends or friends of friends who have lost their homes through new GoFundMe campaigns. Most folks can mark themselves as safe, but (as the meme goes) we know that they are not okay.

Adding to the sadness about the losses in Altadena centers around its diverse racial composition. Its community, especially along its west side, is working class. Altadena Heritage's website includes a short history of the city. I hear stories that homes that were lost were in black and brown families for generations and inhabited by multiple generations, as well. The loss of this uniquely diverse and hardworking community is so, so sad.

The firefighters and first responders have been heroic. There has been an outpouring of support. But I know that attention will shift away as time passes. I am aware of how long it takes to rebuild and heal. I am originally from Hawaii and have followed the Lahaina recovery efforts and have seen how outside attention has waned. And yet there is the continued fight for native people to remain and rebuild. I hope that a similar sense of mutual support in the different Los Angeles area communities will continue because my friends will need support and care and advocacy for a very long time.

My request of you: Please become more involved in your local communities. Make your circles strong and supportive, and do the most you can, where you are, with what you've got. Be there for your folks.

If you are so moved, here are a few links to donate to folks in Los Angeles. I have been helping individuals directly; if you choose to do the same from these lists, take care in selecting campaigns.

GoFundMe verified campaigns for folks displaced by the LA fires.

Immigrant day laborers, undocumented workers and mixed-status families who face the added burden of fear and uncertainty when seeking shelter and emergency services.

Domestic Workers who are primarily Black, Latina, Filipina, and immigrant women.

ArtCenter's emergency fund, which will help students, staff, and faculty who have lost their homes and those displaced due to the Eaton and Palisades wildfires.

GoFundMe campaigns for ArtCenter alumni

No matter what, please send loving thoughts toward Los Angeles tonight and the days to follow. And keep your heart open to all those who need comfort in so many places worldwide.

Thanks.
xo, Wendee