Daijiworld Media Network – Los Angeles

Los Angeles, Jan 7: A year after the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires reduced entire neighbourhoods of Los Angeles to ashes, survivors continue to grapple with loss, trauma and uncertainty, even as stories of resilience and community spirit emerge from the ruins.

On a scorched plot overlooking Palisades’ Stadium By the Sea, the crunch of dry soil underfoot marks what remains of a once-thriving home. For Jessica Rogers, daily visits to the charred land — now dotted with fresh green shoots — have become a ritual of healing. The Palisades Fire consumed her home, leaving behind twisted metal and shattered glass, but months of careful watering have helped new life take root beneath the fire-ravaged soil.

“It’s hard for me not to be there,” Rogers said. “I go every day, no matter what, because it’s important to bring life back into the community.”

The Palisades and Eaton fires rank among the three most destructive wildfires in California’s history. Together, they claimed at least 31 lives, destroyed over 16,000 structures and displaced thousands of residents, permanently altering the fabric of Los Angeles communities.

While anger, frustration and exhaustion remain constant companions for many survivors, there is also a powerful sense of solidarity. In Altadena, Brandon Jay turned personal loss into collective action after his home — and most of his family’s musical instruments — were destroyed. He founded an organisation to help fire-affected families replace lost instruments.

“The enormity of this is just crazy,” Jay said. “If you’re not here, you don’t fully understand it.” He added that shared trauma has forged deep bonds within the community. “We all have this connection because we lived through it together.”

However, recovery has been far from easy. Long-time Palisades resident Kim Ferrier recalled fleeing as flames crept closer, describing deserted streets and an overwhelming sense of abandonment. “It felt like every man for themselves,” she said, a feeling that continues to linger for many residents navigating life after the disaster.

Rogers, now executive director of the Palisades Long Term Recovery Group, highlighted the complex challenges survivors face — from insurance disputes and costly permits to mounting debt. “Many people have been left destitute, displaced and with no way to rebuild,” she said.

Her own journey reflects these struggles. After losing her home and a rental property she managed, Rogers discovered her fire insurance policy had been cancelled without notice. Months later, identity theft further complicated her efforts to secure financial assistance, leaving her without a clear path to rebuilding.

Despite the scars left behind, residents across Los Angeles continue to show up for one another, driven by hope that collective effort and perseverance will one day restore the communities they call home.