“In some ways it’s like you can’t believe it’s already been a year… It does feel like such a different world, and then time feels both quick and also long at the same time,” said Head of School Ms. Andrea Kassar, reflecting on the Eaton Fire that took place more than a year ago and that still impacts Westridge families today.

The Eaton Fire, which began on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, burned over 14,000 acres. At the same time, the Palisades Fire raged across Los Angeles and burned more than 24,000 acres. Southern California was a burning inferno for 31 days. When it was all over, the fires had destroyed over 16,000 structures–businesses, schools, and homes, displacing thousands still a year later. 

On January 7, 2026, Westridge recognized the one year anniversary by holding different age appropriate activities. Lower School teachers spoke with their homeroom students about the importance of resilience and recognizing helpers who supported Altadena residents during and after the fires. In Middle School, Dr. Zanita Kelly, Director of Lower and Middle School, spoke to students about how to support peers whose paths to recovery may feel non-linear. In the Upper School, a mid-morning community gathering was held for students, during which community members placed notes with memories, wishes, and reflections on a tree. Additionally, school counselors, Dr. Lisa LaFave and Ms. Sheri Johnson, were available to support students.

Moving forward, Altadena residents continue conquering obstacles to rebuild homes and communities. “Westridge is always a school that strives to take care of our students and of each other as colleagues and our alums,” said Ms. Kassar. “There are lots of things in the world we can’t control, but if we do our best–maybe sounds cheesy–but to give each other a lot of Westridge love, as I always say, when in particular, when there are moments of crisis, that feels really important.”

Despite the slow-moving reconstruction efforts, members of the Altadena community remain strong in their commitment to rebuild. There are signs of hopeful progress. This past November, five businesses at the Mariposa Junction reopened, with over 500 community members celebrating the ceremony.

Additionally, the Altadena Country Club—established in 1910—was lost in the Eaton Fire. After eight months, the Altadena Country Club reopened. Freshman Lila D.-C., a member of the Altadena Country Club, was excited to learn how quickly the country club reopened. Despite the reopening, Lila said the club feels “unpopulated.” She said, “I’ve actually only been there about two or three times because even going back, it just doesn’t feel the same. It’s more of the loss of the community that gets me.”

For junior Clara T., an Altadena resident, the ability to embrace the Altadena community through annual traditions like Altadena’s Christmas Tree Lane has been particularly meaningful. “I went to Christmas Tree Lane this year, which has always been a tradition for my family, and being able to still have that even though we didn’t know if that was going to be something we could do this year,” she said.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Allison F.

In the hills of the Altadena neighborhood, residents throughout Altadena face insurance compensations, rebuilding, and moving past the deadly wildfires. Reflecting after a year, Clara T. '27 shared the small ways she’s reminded of the night when she received a mandatory evacuation order to leave her home. “The smell of my hand cream that I had brought up with me. Something I still kind of associate with that time,” she said. “It can be hard to look so perfect on the surface, while some people still are struggling with housing and struggling with insurance and things like that.”

For many families, the rebuilding process has been fraught with obstacles, including financial complications and awaiting compensation in lawsuits and insurance claims. According to county data in Altadena, more than 500 new residential rebuilds are currently under construction, and more than 1,800 are in the planning stages.

Seven in ten residents have not returned to their homes, one reason being the high risks of lead contamination from the fire’s dust particles and ash. Zoe G. ’27 had moved into her new Altadena home ten months before the Eaton Fire. Her home eluded the flames, but the strong Santa Anita winds blew off the door of her home, spreading contamination throughout her family’s rooms. Zoe and her family are waiting for insurance compensation, and they are still unable to return to their Altadena home. Currently, Zoe lives with her grandparents in South Pasadena. “I don’t have an idea [of when we will return] because, like a week after the fire, it was within three months,” she said. “Then, it was within six months, and then it’s within a year, and then it’s probably, I’m hoping, in at least the next three months we might move back in.”

The prolonged return to homes and rebuilding process has given residents the opportunity to reflect since the fires. Catherine P. ’28, who lost her home in the Eaton Fire, has had to relocate five times. “When things like [the Eaton Fire] happen, you get a little bit of a restart. You get a new perspective on things. I think I’m going to carry that hopefully for the rest of my life.” Catherine added, “I definitely took a lot of things for granted before losing everything. I think I do appreciate more quality time and stuff that you can’t replace.” 

Catherine’s family hopes to begin the reconstruction of her home on their Altadena lot in February. “I’ve only ever seen that house on that lot. It’s going to be weird seeing anything different,” she said.

Alumnae Emery Fishbach ’24 was born and raised in Altadena. Her family learned they lost their home while on vacation in Hawaii. After 12 months, Emery described the rebuilding process as “very slow because everyone’s going through the same process.”

However, Emery remains hopeful to begin rebuilding her home this upcoming April and have a home built by the end of 2027. “We can’t imagine living anywhere else, and the fact that our neighbors are still there, and most of the street is still intact, I think those factors really made us feel inclined to rebuild,” she said. “Our love for Altadena was really the main thing to keep us there… [To] try to rebuild some of the sense of the community.”

Suggested Reading:

• Joy Chen, Executive Director of Eaton Fire Survivors Network, Continues Her Advocacy for Altadena
  
• One Year Later—Five Westridge Community Members and How the Eaton and Palisades Fires Changed Their Lives Forever