Being a true Angeleno (whether native or committed transplant) means embracing it all — chasing after dreams that often fail and sometimes come true, coming to terms with the potential for catastrophes and appreciating the humanity that makes the City of Angels such a rich place to live.
It’s a risky place to live, too. But in these times of devastating climate change, where on Earth is not?
A week or so before the Palisades, Eaton and smaller fires erupted from the western to the eastern ends of our county in early January, my skin set itself aflame with a first-time and sudden onset of eczema (though it took four doctor visits for a diagnosis). The body, like the rest of nature, sends us warnings. Both, though, can be illusive, darting in and out of focus like moving sheets of fog. Speaking of which, remember the heavy fog that moved into our city in the days before the first wildfire lit up the Pacific Palisades? While we can’t control the weather, I wish we could have willed the moisture to stick around a bit longer, clinging to trees and the roofs of homes.
But the Santa Ana winds swept into a rain-starved region, turning thousands of our fellow Angelenos’ lives upside down. A couple of L.A. Parent staff members had to evacuate, but they were able to return home quickly. Shirking our usual spring coverage, we immediately pivoted to gathering and sharing wildfire relief resources and expert advice via our electronic newsletters, website and social media platforms. On laparent.com and in this issue, we are honored to join a wave of platforms giving voice to wildfire survivors, firefighters and volunteers.
Long term, we will explore ways to mitigate the impact of climate disasters, including through improvements in infrastructure, policy and personal practices. And like so many others — individuals, schools, churches, companies and organizations — we are here as a resource for the long haul as wildfire survivors work to rebuild their lives.
They can’t do it alone, and we’re so proud of the Greater Los Angeles community for stepping in to fill the voids. When the smoke, fog and even the rains clear, that’s what you’ll always find here: the helpers.
Loving and living in LA., even when faced with unspeakable loss.
