LOS ANGELES (AP) — Upon returning to his Southern California neighborhood a month after a devastating wildfire, 11-year-old Ceiba Phillips was met with the stark reality of the destruction. His best friend’s home and the school he cherished now lay in ruins. While his own house remained standing, the backhouse where his grandparents resided, who used to pack his daily lunches, was reduced to ashes alongside a pool of melted aluminum. The quaint diner he loved, Fox’s, was also wiped out. Confronted with the devastation in person, after having seen it through photos, Ceiba was overwhelmed with shock and tears.
“There’s no word to describe it,” Ceiba expressed. “It’s a mix of sadness, heaviness, and some anger. Why did this have to happen?”
The Eaton fire that ravaged Altadena on Jan. 7 left families grappling with the aftermath of one of the most catastrophic fires in California’s history. As residents returned to their neighborhoods, children especially struggled with the loss of everything familiar to them. Parents, on the other hand, faced the challenge of supporting their children through the trauma.
Maintaining a sense of routine is crucial for children’s coping mechanisms, according to Lori Peek, a sociology professor at the University of Colorado Boulder specializing in natural disasters’ impacts. It is vital for kids to stay connected with friends, while parents should engage in open discussions about the challenges their children are encountering.
Creating a safe space for emotional expression was the goal of Chiara Angelicola, an early childhood education professional, who organized a Kids Town Hall event for families affected by the fires. Children were encouraged to share their feelings and engage in therapeutic activities such as art and somatic exercises to address the physical impact of trauma. Over 100 kids and parents, including Ceiba’s 4-year-old sister Quoia and their mother Alyson Granaderos, participated in the event.
Offering support, hundreds of therapists and non-profits have provided mental health services free of charge to fire victims.
Ceiba’s home was one of the few on his street that remained intact but suffered extensive smoke damage, rendering it uninhabitable. Despite the survival of his house, Ceiba longed for the entirety of Altadena.
He vividly recalled the details of his last normal day, where school ended early due to strong Santa Ana winds fueling the fires. Ceiba and his sister spent the afternoon at his best friend’s house, engaging in playful activities. That evening, as they witnessed the mountainside ablaze, Ceiba’s grandma’s text message alerted them to the fire nearby, marking the abrupt end of their normalcy.
During the terrifying moments when the wildfires were raging, Ceiba had just one plea in his heart: “God, please protect my house and my family.” In the midst of chaos and urgency, his mother urged him to quickly gather his belongings and prepare to evacuate. Without hesitation, the 11-year-old sprang into action, hastily packing clothes and essentials not just for himself, but also for his younger sister. Together, they sought shelter in their father’s office located in neighboring Pasadena, but the fear and uncertainty made it difficult for Ceiba to find peace even in sleep. The next morning, as dawn broke, the devastating reality hit hard as he witnessed the destruction that had befallen his neighborhood.
Adjusting to a new routine, Ceiba found solace in the familiar rhythm of his days, even amid the changes brought about by relocating to a different school in Pasadena. Eager to share newfound knowledge with his mother, he recounted an interesting fact he had learned that day about Abraham Lincoln’s near involvement with the ill-fated Donner Party back in 1846. Despite the upheaval, Ceiba decided to take up playing the saxophone in band class and chose Michigan as the subject of his state project to honor his mother’s roots. As he navigated this new chapter, his conversations with friends took on a more serious tone, shifting towards discussions about insurance coverage, house conditions, and the uncertain future of their community.
While grappling with the aftermath of the fire, Ceiba’s longing to return home was met with caution from his mother, who understood the importance of processing and coming to terms with the devastation they had experienced. Through tearful moments, such as passing by the remnants of The Bunny Museum that held cherished memories for the family, both Ceiba and his sister Quoia confronted the reality of loss and change. Yet amidst the desolation, a glimmer of hope remained as Granaderos, their mother, shared the symbolic resilience embedded in their names – Ceiba, after the tree of life, and Quoia, named after the Sequoia. A sapling of the iconic Sequoia, known for its remarkable ability to withstand fire and adversity, had been planted in their backyard when Quoia was born, and after the fire, it stood tall as a testament to strength and renewal.
