The devastating wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County have left a historic Black community in Altadena in ashes. The Eaton Fire, one of the four blazes currently burning across the region, has destroyed over 30,000 acres, including homes and landmarks tied to decades of Black history and culture. Here are five critical things to know about the impact of the wildfires on Altadena and its residents
1. A Historic Black Community Reduced to Ashes
Altadena, located just north of Pasadena, holds a significant place in Black American history. As one of California’s first middle-class Black communities, it offered refuge and opportunities for Black families during the era of redlining and systemic discrimination. This community became a beacon of economic empowerment and generational wealth during the Great Migration. Now, wildfires have wiped out homes, TheGrio reported.
2. The Toll on Generational Wealth
For many Black families in Altadena, homeownership represented more than just property—it was a pathway to generational wealth. Homes passed down through families for decades have now been reduced to rubble due to the wildfires. Sheila Foster, a lifelong resident, shared her heartbreak over losing the home she planned to leave to her children: “This house was going to go to my kids. I don’t have $500,000 sitting in the bank,” she told Pasadena-Star News.
3. Systemic Insurance Challenges
Beyond the physical destruction, many homeowners are grappling with California’s worsening insurance crisis. With over 500,000 homeowner policies in wildfire-prone areas not renewed between 2020 and 2022, many Black homeowners now face rebuilding their lives without sufficient insurance coverage. These challenges are compounded by reports of discriminatory practices when Black homeowners file insurance claims, KCRW reports.
4. The Threat of Gentrification Amid Recovery
Longtime residents fear that rebuilding efforts may accelerate gentrification, further displacing the Black community that has called Altadena home for generations, according to Altadena Heritage. The community has voiced concerns about being priced out as real estate values rise and developers eye the area for profit.
5. A Call for Support and Awareness
As Altadena rebuilds, community leaders are calling for more support to address systemic inequities in disaster recovery. Social media users have shared messages mourning the loss of Black-owned homes and urging for equitable recovery efforts to preserve the community’s legacy.
Here is a list of displaced Black families and their respective GoFundMe links: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pK5omSsD4KGhjEHCVgcVw-rd4FZP9haoijEx1mSAm5c/htmlview
Here is another way to help:Â https://gofund.me/21f302b1
