After the fire destroyed their home for nearly 60 years, Toni Raines’ parents were unsure if they would rebuild. They disappeared in the Altadena community. A friend has not survived. Where will they even start in so much pain, uncertainty and overwhelming message?
This is the town where Raines grew up here-she went to preschool, elementary and high school. She began her own research, distilling the facts into parents in her 80s. Her sister also lost her home. For the community, resolve to do everything possible to help rebuild. On a recent afternoon, she gathered over a dozen architects and contractors she reviewed inside Pasadena church to meet with residents. The goal is to provide answers.
“People who lose everything are owed accuracy,” said Reins, 59.
More than two months after the Eaton fire broke out in Altadena, residents eager to return continued to have problems. As debris continues to screen, foundation cleaning and transfer guidance, many shelters in hotels, air mattresses and temporary housing, wondering how long it will take to rebuild a home, how long it will take, and whether they can manage the waiting.
Toni Raines examines damage to her parents’ property, which was destroyed in the Eaton fire.
(William Liang / The Times)
The fire destroyed more than 6,000 residential properties and added nearly 800 residential properties. The March 31 deadline is the deadline for choosing or opting out of the Army Engineer Fragment Deletion Program, which is about to approach quickly. Public works in Los Angeles County have obtained over 5,000 forms, with the choice of cleaning in Altadena, about 200 forms. But the agency is still evaluating how many owners have not responded.
After the cleanup phase, the process may take time when the building is allowed. In the town hall inside Victory Bible Church, a contractor estimated the timeline from permit to design and construction about 18 months, noting that permits could be accelerated for the “Plan of Like” program – the building will not be constructed beyond the original size and layout of the house. County officials encourage residents to start the reconstruction process immediately to avoid backlogs of allowable requests, which may slow down the process.
Focus on fire-resistant materials will also be key to areas that may face another fire. Most of the houses destroyed in Altadena decades ago were built. Fire chief Jeff Bailey of California Fire and the Reins brothers reminded residents that homes, including his parents, will need to be updated.
“When building a house, there was a lot of code that didn’t apply in the ’60s,” he said. “So for anyone planning a reconstruction, developers here will use that code based on what the law is.”
Contractor Allison Allain pointed out that the requirement of reconstruction is a “mobile goal” to continue to develop.
“We have no structural guidance on engineering, cross-section, foundation or roofing plans yet,” she said.
The state requires new homes to include solar panels, double panel windows and fire sprinklers. But the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors asked Gov. Gavin Newsom to suspend some of the state’s construction laws that have been destroyed by fires.
“We don’t want these requirements to be burdened by those who have lost everything,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said at a recent community meeting. “We know that implementing solar energy, battery storage and other hardening opportunities can benefit our residents.
Altadena resident Richard Pallay just wants the fact that he wants to rebuild.
He said: “Don’t be optimistic, don’t be pessimistic – just tell me what path.”
Like many others in Altadena, his house on Altadena Drive has multiple generations of connections. This is where his wife grew up and where they raise their children. He wore a “Rebuild Altadena” baseball cap and returned on his own terms.
“Let me measure it myself – don’t shake my opinion.”
The Builders Forum includes several that have connections with Altadena. They are there to provide insights into the design and construction process for many people who have never experienced it before, connecting with residents who want to rebuild and provide solace. Architect and pastor Ariel Babikian grew up in Altadena. He said he doesn’t have all the answers yet, but he believes the community will return to the home that feels like it.
He preached, “Your house will be rebuilt.” “I believe, by the grace of God.”
There have been different ideas about how communities will be rebuilt since the fire broke out. A group of architects attempted to create an online directory of home building designs for residents who do not want to start from scratch. When the cleanup work and construction begins, other residents are building a coalition to develop a reimagined community plan. Raines hopes that the group she assembles can be rebuilt simultaneously, where architects and contractors can collaborate between organizations and residents can volunteer to work hours.
Green leaves have begun to appear at home on Wapello Street.
(William Liang / The Times)
But for some people, the information gap remains. Raines and Altadena Talks Foundation organize the town hall – residents of the podcast and resource hub – said it was particularly concerned about older residents who make up most of the town’s population. She said they may not be on social media, where there is a widespread shared information. They may still be dealing with grief.
“When you put your information there and you have all these deadlines, people aren’t totally saddened by their entire lives disappearing, and it’s hard to ask them to go on to the next stage,” she said.
Reins thought about her mom, she didn’t want to cook in the apartment she currently lives in because it wasn’t her kitchen on Wapello Street. She recently contacted Babikian about building new houses in an old style, but failed to allow herself to screen out the remains of the property, where leaves began to grow again on old oak trees and flowers began to bloom throughout the charred community. The pain of loss is still fresh.
“God, my biggest prayer is that they don’t leave the earth until they get home,” Rains said. “That’s the only thing I want.”
