Beyond the Flames: Why We Must Not Forget the Los Angeles Fires Over Time
My family, through my wife’s family, has experienced massive natural disasters. The first was Katrina in 2005 with my brothers-in-law’s family who lived in New Orleans. The second hurricane Laura in Lake Charles, LA.in 2019, where father-in-law lived. You probably have heard of (and remember) Katrina. You most likely have never heard of Laura…and that makes all of the difference.
In LA, when the smoke clears and the news cameras move on, it's easy to think the worst is over. However, the impact of the devastating fires in Los Angeles will linger far beyond the last ember. The destruction left behind is more than physical; it carries deep financial, psychological, and emotional scars that will affect individuals and communities for years to come.
History has shown us the dangers of forgetting disasters too soon. Katrina in 2005 remained in the public consciousness for years. The city benefited from sustained attention, with celebrities and organizations continuing to support rebuilding efforts more than a decade later. In contrast, Laura, which struck Lake Charles, Louisiana, with comparable ferocity, quickly faded from the national conversation. Unlike New Orleans, Lake Charles has struggled to attract ongoing support, leaving many residents to navigate their recovery in silence. Simple things, like receiving an insurance check or rebuilding simple structures, are absent in Lake Charles. So much so, my 75+ year old father-in-law just picked up and moved… left his over seven-decade home because of the communal depth of despair and disrepair.
Similarly, the fires in Los Angeles may not stay in the headlines for long, but their effects will be felt indefinitely. Homes have been lost, businesses destroyed, and entire neighborhoods displaced. Insurance battles, rebuilding costs, and financial strain will weigh heavily on families. Many will struggle with post-traumatic stress and anxiety, grappling with the uncertainty of rebuilding their lives. As we've seen in previous disasters, the emotional toll can often be as severe as the physical destruction.
Beyond the immediate loss, communities face long-term challenges such as economic downturns and shifts in population. Businesses that once thrived may never return, and the social fabric of neighborhoods may fray. In areas like Paradise, California, where wildfires struck in 2018, recovery has been painfully slow. Years later, many residents remain in temporary housing, and rebuilding efforts are hindered by financial barriers and bureaucratic red tape.
It is crucial that we do not allow Los Angeles to become another Lake Charles—forgotten and struggling in silence. Continued media attention, government support, and community advocacy are essential to ensure that those affected receive the help they need. Philanthropy and nonprofit organizations must also remain engaged long after the initial wave of support subsides.
The fires may be out, but the pain is not over. It is our collective responsibility to keep the conversation going, to support recovery efforts, and to stand with those rebuilding their lives. Only by doing so can we ensure that Los Angeles does not become another forgotten tragedy… at the community and individual level.
