Almost a year after the Palisades Fire swept through a close-knit coastal neighborhood in Los Angeles, the flames are out, but the repercussions linger.
Residents are still displaced, grappling with the burden of paying rent and mortgages, and navigate through an overwhelming amount of bureaucratic red tape.
As the anniversary of the fire approaches, a sense of sadness hangs over the community, accompanied by a loud demand for transparency and accountability.
That’s why hundreds, at times over a thousand residents, gathered for the protest titled “Let them burn us!” This demonstration served to commemorate the one-year mark, emphasizing that even after the smoke has cleared, the failures of government persist.
“This is more than just a protest,” stated Jeremy Padawer, a homeowner in Pacific Palisades whose home was lost in the fire. As the organizer, he mentioned that the online platform PacificPalisades.com aims to highlight the community’s ongoing struggle, with a straightforward message: “We are speaking truth to power.”
Padawer argues that fires shouldn’t be viewed as unavoidable acts of nature, but as outcomes stemming from systemic failures. He cites ignored warnings, inadequate infrastructure, and negligence from various city and state agencies meant to safeguard hillside communities.
A year on, he feels the situation has become even more dire. Families are still displaced, rebuilding efforts have stalled, and there’s significant uncertainty around when residents might be able to return home.
The Palisades and Eaton fires started on January 7, 2025, devastating the unincorporated areas of Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
By the time the fire was contained, it had tragically claimed at least 31 lives and destroyed over 16,000 structures, including thousands of homes in both communities.
Many areas in Pacific Palisades now stand as vacant lots or scattered sites of rubble, indicating that what began as a rapidly spreading fire has morphed into an ongoing economic disaster.
“Many people are underinsured,” shared Jessica Rogers, a survivor of the fire and organizer of the upcoming vigil. “People are running out of savings and facing the risk of losing their homes.”
Rogers experienced the loss of her own home, leaving her and her two children, alongside their two cats, without a stable place to live. Formerly a social worker who aided others in crisis, she now finds herself fielding calls from neighbors facing financial turmoil as insurance support dwindles and temporary housing options expire.
For Rogers, the ordeal extends far beyond the flames; it’s about tackling paperwork, accumulating debt, and facing eviction. She channels her loss into advocating for families still caught in limbo a year later.
Both Rogers and Padawer challenge the stereotype that the Palisades is a well-off community insulated from hardship.
“There are many hard-working individuals here—teachers, nurses—who face real struggles,” Padawer remarked. “Not everyone in this area is profiting from the financial sector.”
Rogers added that some families are juggling mortgage payments, rent, and HOA fees all at once. “When those funds run dry, options become scarce.”
She expressed concern that the past year has been particularly harsh for a community already stretched thin.
“This is a community in deep trauma,” Rogers noted. “We’re grappling with grief on multiple fronts: the loss of homes, stability, and identity.”
Yet, amid the sorrow, she stressed that this anniversary isn’t solely about frustration; there’s an element of hope.
Rogers is part of the Pacific Palisades Long-Term Recovery Group (Paris LTRG), which focuses on health initiatives, educational programs for recovery, and efforts to heal community fractures.
On January 7th, a ceremony called the White Glove Flag Presentation and Commemoration will honor the lives lost, while also recognizing those who contributed to the rebuilding efforts.
“This serves as a tribute to those we’ve lost,” she explained. “But it’s also about reaffirming our values and commitment to rebuilding together.”
Protests will persist, with “They Let Us Burn!” set to take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Palisades Village.
Padawer has extended invitations to Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, expressing a wish for them to listen to the community’s concerns.
A representative from Newsom’s office indicated he plans to visit the Los Angeles area next week to meet with fire survivors, though no confirmation was provided regarding specific event attendance. Bass’s office has not commented.
“We still have hope,” Padawer emphasized. “We believe the Palisades will rise again, but we’re uncertain how many original community members will be part of that resurgence.”
Rogers mirrored that sentiment.
“This is about community,” she asserted. “Even if everything else is gone.”
