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It’s been just over 13 months since the Palisades and Eaton Fires forever changed the landscape of Los Angeles. I still remember the feeling that swept across the city on January 8, 2025 — that sudden, sobering realization that Los Angeles is far more fragile than we ever allowed ourselves to believe. In that moment, it felt like our city — this place we love — could disappear in a single firestorm. We watched on television as entire neighborhoods burned, and it became painfully clear: there aren’t enough firefighters or fire engines in the world to stop destruction on the scale we were seeing. So where is that feeling now? When the first rain finally came in February 2025, you could almost feel the collective anxiety ease. We had survived. But what followed surprised me. As a community, we began grieving — and like so many who endure trauma, we entered the stage of denial. Neighbors who had been outspoken and motivated about confronting our vulnerabilities suddenly went quiet. Conversations stopped. Projects stalled. Like so many large-scale disasters, once we were spared, it became easier to move on… and try to forget. I understand that instinct. Truly. I’ll be the first to admit: spending money on removing risky vegetation or installing ember-resistant mesh isn’t glamorous. It’s not exciting. It doesn’t feel urgent — until it is. But let me ask you this: Would you drive through Los Angeles without wearing a seatbelt? Would you put your child on a skateboard without a helmet? Ninety-five percent of home loss during urban conflagrations like the Palisades and Eaton Fires happen because of embers. Not towering walls of flame — embers. If you could improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire by as much as 50% with an investment of $1,500 or less, would you do it? If your answer is yes — what are you waiting for? The hard truth is this: much of the development across Southern California over the past 100 years has placed us directly in harm’s way. We’ve built communities in an ecosystem that is designed to burn. Then we landscaped it. Watered it. Let it grow for decades. The fact that your home has stood for 50 or even 100 years does not make it fireproof today. And with a changing climate, the risk is not decreasing. We have a choice to make: adapt — or risk losing what we’ve built. I know it can feel overwhelming. So where do you start? Assess your home’s vulnerabilities. Begin with the improvements that make the biggest impact and that fit within your budget. You'd be surprised that the items that make the most impact are the least expensive. Make a plan for the more costly upgrades. Coordinate with your neighbors — wildfire resilience works best as a team effort. Commit to one fire-hardening project each month. Small, consistent action adds up. The sooner you begin, the more prepared your home will be when the winds return and the next red flag warnings appear. And remember — you don’t have to do this alone. Reach out to your local Fire Safe Council. We live and breathe wildfire data. We’re here to help you take the first step — and the next one after that. Reach out to the Hollywood Hills Firesafe Council or Visit our Website