'The Wirecutter Show': The True Cost of Recovering from the L.A. Wildfires, Part 1

Key Takeaways

Invest in your community before disaster for invaluable information and support.
Establish easy communication channels with neighbors, such as text or group chats.
Join local volunteer organizations to deepen community connections and aid recovery efforts.
Prioritize self-reliance during a crisis, as emergency services may not be immediately available.

The January 2025 Palisades and Eaton Fires burned over 16,000 structures and killed at least 31 people, becoming among California's most destructive wildfire events.
Wirecutter writers Gregory Han and Mike Cohen, both Altadena residents, experienced the Eaton fire directly, with Han's home damaged and Cohen's destroyed.
The episode launches a special three-part series from Wirecutter, focusing on lessons from these fires for disaster preparedness and recovery.

Wirecutter contributors Gregory Han and Mike Cohen collaborated on an article sharing lessons from their Altadena wildfire recovery.
Their work emphasizes actionable steps and preparedness before a disaster, rather than solely focusing on rebuilding efforts.
This article is part of Wirecutter's broader emergency preparedness coverage, including disaster kits and pantry stocking.

Gregory Han and his wife Emily purchased a home in Altadena's 'The Meadows' neighborhood in 2022, drawn by its natural beauty and mid-century modern architecture.
Mike Cohen and his wife Chelsea moved to Altadena in May 2022 from the East Coast, seeking more affordable housing after multiple failed bids.
Mike's former Altadena home featured a significant garden with dozens of fruit trees, including lemon, lime, pomegranate, apricot, apple, pear, and orange varieties.

Altadena is described as having a strong community feel, characterized by light traffic, few sidewalks, and neighbors walking dogs against a mountain backdrop.
Gregory Han was drawn to the community's diversity of lifestyles and informal gathering spots like Farnsworth Park, which served as a social hub.
The area's unincorporated status contributes to unique features, such as residents riding horses down streets, blending old and new residents, some of whom have lived there for generations.

The January 2025 wildfires in Altadena were significantly exacerbated by extreme Santa Ana winds, described by Joan Didion as accentuating impermanence in Los Angeles.
Gregory Han evacuated his Altadena home on January 6, 2025, with his family, due to impending strong winds and fears of being trapped by the neighborhood's single access road.
His concern was heightened as the fire's direction shifted and his wife, Emily, was recovering from cancer and surgery.

Wirecutter writer Mike Cohen, on vacation in Mexico, followed the fires through a neighborhood WhatsApp group, initially feeling relief about the distant Palisades fire.
The situation shifted when the Eaton fire began in Altadena, prompting neighbors to use the 'Watch Duty' app for real-time information on its spread.
Despite various communication channels, Mike and his neighbors in West Altadena did not receive official evacuation orders for seven hours after the Eaton fire started.

Mike Cohen remotely watched his Altadena home burn down via doorbell and doggy cams, hearing fire alarms and seeing smoke until the feed cut out.
His house-sitting neighbor, Jamie, was urged to leave on the evening of January 7, 2025, after another neighbor alerted them that Mike's yard and house were on fire, with power already out.
The Eaton fire resulted in 19 fatalities, with all but one occurring in Western Altadena, Mike's neighborhood.

Mike Cohen reflected that the fire highlighted the potential absence of emergency services, emphasizing the need for self-reliance during a disaster.
Both Mike and Gregory Han identify investing in one's immediate community as the most invaluable lesson learned over the past year for recovery.
Building relationships and connecting with neighbors creates an unbuyable resource crucial for navigating crises and filling knowledge gaps when traditional information flow is cut off.