There are No Words

There are no suitable words to express the emotion of the fires last month. Somehow fear, anguish, sadness and empathy don’t quite cut it; the loss is too great. So many lives, so many neighborhoods, so many memories are now gone. People think of Los Angeles as one vast urban landscape where no one really knows anybody. The truth is we are connected to each person we have met here. Everyone knows at least one person, if not dozens, who lost their home. Everybody has a beloved place that no longer exists. Nearly everyone was evacuated or on the verge of it, bags packed and ready to go. Fire app notifications pinged away at all hours while fires burned all around us. It was beyond horrific. I am still shaking.

During the early hours of the fires, we saw the helpers. My favorite quote comes from Fred Rogers who brought us the children’s television show, “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.” He said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”  

Fred’s mom was so right; the helpers emerged. At the beginning, it was the first responders and utility crews followed by city officials and media. Soon we saw neighbors helping neighbors get out safely, then rescue facilities taking in people and pets. As the need grew, so did the support. We saw truckloads of basic necessities show up at random locations with volunteers ready to pitch in. It was quite amazing.

I was proud to witness this generosity of spirit in person at my work in La Cañada Flintridge.As soon as the evacuation order was lifted and the power was back on, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opened services at the LA County library on Oakwood Avenue for those affected by fire. Assistance League of Flintridge (ALF), right next door, followed suit with volunteer members bringing to the Bargain Box Thrift Shop parking lot rolling racks of warm jackets, sweats and blankets and inviting FEMA applicants to shop at no cost to them. This impromptu “pop-up shop” was held over two days. It was so appreciated by visitors that the Bargain Box chairmen and managers decided to do it again the following Monday.

On Jan. 20, the Bargain Box again opened its doors for a “free shopping event.”  Members from ALF and its two auxiliaries showed up to help families in need. They later reported that it was heartwarming to serve neighbors during this time of great tragedy and to hear their stories. Between the three events, the Bargain Box was able to provide warm clothing and household goods to approximately 50 families. Assistance League was founded as an aid organization during the fires following the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco and this “call to assistance” felt like a harking back to our roots. During these Los Angeles fires, it was inspiring to hear that hundreds of organizations and individuals stepped up, creating countless stories just like these.

I have lived in the Crescenta Valley all but one year of my life, which means I have seen many natural disasters here. The first one I remember was the great flood in 1969, followed by the Sylmar Earthquake in 1971. We had the Mill Fire in 1975 and floods for several years after that. The Northridge quake was in 1994, the Station Fire in 2009, the La Tuna Fire in 2017 and now the Eaton Fire in 2025. With every disaster event in my memory, my family was affected in some way. Thankfully, we never lost a home and we never lost a loved one. To say we are grateful is an understatement.

For those who are struggling right now, we see, hear and feel you. Look for the helpers.

Susan Bolan
susanbolan710@gmail.com