The Eaton Fire, fueled by an extreme windstorm, ravaged Altadena, a historically Black enclave in Los Angeles. The blaze destroyed homes, businesses, and cultural landmarks, leaving a trail of devastation. Residents, deeply connected to the community's history, fear the fire will upend generations of prosperity and unity.
Maya Richard-Craven describes herself as 'five generations Pasadena' because her family planted roots in the area roughly a century ago and has lived there ever since. Her relatives are involved to such an extent in local organizations, social clubs and volunteer groups, that, she said, taking a walk in nearby Altadena often means being waved down by someone who recognizes her mom.
But she feared the neighborhood centers where Altadena's Black community thrived for decades could now be gone.Authorities estimated more than 7,000 structures were damaged or destroyed in the Eaton Fire alone. Apocalyptic images and video from the area show full residential blocks reduced to ash and parked vehicles melted almost to their frames. At least five schools were severely impacted.Richard-Craven said she never imagined witnessing such devastation in her lifetime.
WILDFIRE ALTA DENA BLACK COMMUNITY LOS ANGELES HISTORIC PRESERVATION
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