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The 2021 wildfire season in California was marked by severe, unprecedented fire conditions, causing widespread destruction and loss. Among the most severely impacted areas was Pacific Palisades, an affluent community located in Los Angeles, which experienced one of the most destructive wildfires in its history. The fires resulted in the destruction of thousands of homes, including that of a 79-year-old woman whose lifelong dreams were suddenly brought to a halt. The devastation had a considerable emotional and psychological impact on survivors, with older adults facing unique challenges in the recovery process.
The aftermath of the wildfires led to the outbreak of multiple fires, creating critical fire weather conditions in Southern California. The recovery process, involving the removal of debris and rebuilding infrastructure, is a daunting task for affected communities, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and low-income residents. Despite the availability of recovery resources from federal and state agencies, survivors often feel unsupported due to the temporary nature of these programs.
The fires underscore the need for comprehensive and easily accessible response and recovery resources to aid survivors’ recovery. Various forms of support are provided by governmental and non-governmental organizations, including FEMA and Project HOPE, to help victims recover from the emotional, financial, and physical impacts of the wildfires. However, survivors, particularly elderly and low-income individuals, face difficulties in accessing these resources, leading to severe and long-lasting health and social problems.
Finally, the wildfires have significant psychological impacts on survivors, resulting in stress, anxiety, and depression. Older adults, in particular, face challenges due to lack of social support and difficulty in adjusting to new living conditions. Future research and interventions aimed at fostering resilience and better preparing this population for future crises are crucial.
The Event
The state of California has been experiencing increasingly severe wildfire seasons. Particularly notable were the events of 2021, a year marked by an unusually early start to the fire season due to ongoing drought and historically low rainfall and reservoir levels. By August of that year, the state was grappling with “unprecedented fire conditions” as multiple large-scale fires raged, including the Dixie Fire, McFarland Fire, and Caldor Fire.
In the early days of 2025, Southern California faced critical fire weather conditions, with Red Flag Warnings in effect until mid-January. Several fires broke out in the region, including the Lidia Fire, Kenneth Fire, and Sunset Fire. The largest and most destructive of these was in Pacific Palisades, an affluent community located between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains. This event would become known as the most destructive wildfire in the modern history of Los Angeles.
Thousands of structures across Los Angeles County were levelled, including homes in Pacific Palisades—where the average home lists for more than $3 million. More than 10,000 homes were destroyed in Los Angeles alone, with the rapid wildfires leaving nothing but charred piles of wood and metal in their wake. Among the structures lost was the home of a 79-year-old woman, the focus of this article. The woman’s home was one of many that were completely destroyed, bringing her lifelong hopes and dreams to a sudden and devastating halt.
The recovery and rebuilding process following the wildfires is a complex and challenging task. The first step involves removing all damaged debris before starting to rebuild roads, homes, and businesses. This lengthy process can be even more challenging for older adults and those with special medical or mobility needs.
Simultaneously, the residents of these affected areas must contend with the emotional and psychological impact of such a traumatic event. It has been found that people often turn to religion or spirituality in an attempt to cope with such circumstances, seeking to place the control of traumatic events in the realm of a higher order. This allows for a sense of coherence and hope for the future, which can help to bolster resilience in the face of adversity.
Aftermath of the Fire
During this period, critical fire weather conditions prevailed in coastal Southern California, driven by moderate to locally robust winds. These fires are often propelled by embers, minuscule fragments of burning debris, capable of being thrown over a mile away by strong winds. These embers could cause the fire to spread to new areas even without the surrounding homes igniting.
The destruction from wildfires comes primarily from three sources: direct flames, radiant heat, and flying embers. These flying embers are capable of sparking fires in homes up to a mile away and pose a significant threat. As such, homeowners are advised to follow specific guidelines to fortify their homes against wildfires.
The move from a home into residential care following a disaster like a wildfire can be extremely stressful for older adults, resulting in ‘relocation stress.’ This form of stress is a considerable risk factor for anxiety or depression, leading to a decline in overall well-being and independence.
Special attention should be given to vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, individuals with disabilities, low-income residents, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Policymakers should ensure these groups’ needs are catered to in recovery programs, anticipating health emergencies that may already be straining existing health facilities.
Survivors’ recovery, both emotional and financial, is tied closely to the availability of response and recovery resources. These resources must be comprehensive and easily accessible, or else survivors can experience severe and long-lasting health and social problems.
Despite the availability of recovery programs such as those provided by FEMA, the support often falls short of the needs of survivors, and the temporary nature of these programs can leave survivors feeling unsupported in the long term. Hence, there is an urgent need for more effective programs to assist survivors of wildfires and their communities.
Lastly, studies have shown a positive correlation between wildfire vulnerability indicators and fire frequency, possibly due to differences in vegetation management or resources for combating wildfires. Therefore, strategies that can help reduce the human health impacts related to wildfires include establishing evidence-based evacuation plans and educating residents to minimize their exposure to wildfire smoke.
Support and Resources for Survivors
Wildfires pose serious threats to communities, necessitating comprehensive and accessible response and recovery resources to help survivors recover emotionally, financially, and physically. These resources play a pivotal role in addressing the short- and long-term health and social needs of survivors.
Federal Support
FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is a primary provider of support following wildfires, offering various recovery programs including housing and financial assistance. Despite criticisms on the quality and short-term nature of FEMA’s services, the agency continues to support affected communities, with officials assessing damage and meeting with community survivors. FEMA’s individual assistance program aims to kickstart the recovery process for those who have suffered property and possession losses in such disasters.
State Support
On the state level, the California Government offers a centralized hub providing resources for wildfire victims, which includes recovery efforts and assistance programs. Assistance includes food aid (CalFresh), cash aid (CalWORKs, General Assistance, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants), and affordable health insurance (Medi-Cal). Also available is the Supplemental Grant Program and the Disaster Case Management system, which helps vulnerable populations to develop and implement a recovery plan.
State agencies also offer disaster assistance for individuals and business owners who have sustained losses due to wildfires. The Community Wildfire Prevention & Mitigation Projects, a part of California Climate Investments, work towards reducing GHG emissions and strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment.
Community and Non-Profit Support
Support is not limited to government institutions; non-government organizations, like Project HOPE and the California Fire Foundation, also provide aid to wildfire victims. Project HOPE supports mobile medical units, mental health support, and distributes essential relief items, including hygiene kits for shelters and health clinics. The California Fire Foundation provides aid to victims and evacuees, supporting survivors, firefighters, and communities affected by various natural disasters.
Health and Social Services
Addressing health and social needs is a critical part of recovery. A wide range of health and social service professions have expressed concern about the comprehensiveness and sustainability of wildfire recovery programs. As a response, some organizations like Direct Relief coordinate with local and state agencies, and healthcare partners throughout Southern California to monitor health and medical needs in impacted communities.
Ensuring the accessibility of these resources to survivors, particularly those with limited resources to begin with, is essential to preventing severe and long-lasting health and social problems. Policymakers and officials are urged to consider elderly and low-income individuals when allocating funds for wildfire prevention resources.
Emotional support is another critical component in recovery. It is advised for individuals affected by wildfires to seek support even when those closest may not be able to provide it due to shared experiences.
Psychological Impact and Coping Mechanisms
The aftermath of natural disasters, such as wildfires, often results in significant psychological impacts on affected individuals and communities. Displacement and the loss of homes and personal possessions can contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression . The psychological impacts can be particularly challenging for older adults, who may lack the necessary social support to cope with bereavement and loss . Such traumatic events require individuals to adopt multiple adaptations to effectively manage the encountered challenges, which is an integral part of resilience .
Age-Specific Impacts
Children’s ability to cope with crises is greatly influenced by the adults in their lives, with parents and caregivers’ coping strategies serving as role models . Older adults, on the other hand, experience a unique set of challenges. These include stress related to relocation and adjustment to new living conditions, such as those experienced when moving from home into residential care . In the context of wildfires, older adults may face difficulties related to evacuation and exposure to smoke and poor air quality .
Strategies for Resilience and Coping
Resilience, while often seen as a characteristic of the individual, is also a product of one’s environment and available resources . It involves managing emotional reactions, employing coping skills, and interpreting events . Research suggests that older adults can demonstrate high resilience despite potential barriers such as declining health and personal experiences . Interventions designed to enhance resilience could significantly improve outcomes such as successful aging, lower depression, and longevity .
In times of crisis, community resources and response strategies play a crucial role in supporting the psychological well-being of individuals . Organizations often collaborate with local and state agencies to monitor health and medical needs and provide needed support . Offering mental health support and distributing essential relief items are among the strategies used to assist survivors .
Future Research and Interventions
While significant emphasis has been placed on understanding the vulnerabilities and health impacts of wildfires on older adults, there is a need for research that captures their unique experiences and knowledge . Such insights can inform the design of interventions aimed at fostering resilience and better preparing this population for future crises . Furthermore, promoting resilience as a strength and encouraging self-compassion are also critical aspects of addressing trauma in both children and adults .
The 2021 California Wildfire Season
The 2021 wildfire season in California marked an unusually early commencement in the backdrop of a continuing drought, historically low rainfall, and dwindling reservoir levels. In January 2021 alone, there were 297 fires recorded that engulfed 1,171 acres on nonfederal land, almost tripling the number of fires and increasing the acreage over 20 times compared to the five-year average for January. Despite the severity of the 2021 wildfire season, it fell short of the extent of the preceding year’s season, which remains the largest wildfire season recorded in California’s history.
Long-term trends suggest that wildfires in the state are escalating due to climate change. A study spanning over two decades (2000–2020) looked into the area burned by wildfires across California. It revealed that communities bearing physical and socioeconomic vulnerabilities suffered disproportionately, underlining the need for focused municipal aid and recovery efforts. The impacts of wildfires are particularly severe for health, especially among marginalized communities and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. These repercussions include amplified morbidity and mortality associated with heat stress, exposure to air pollution and smoke, vector-borne diseases, and ongoing human rights violations in the climate crisis era.
The increased intensity and impact of wildfires have been directly linked to climate change. Global surface temperatures have risen approximately 1.3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels due to skyrocketing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere since 2011. These human-induced climatic changes have amplified the impacts of ecological degradation, biodiversity loss, and extreme weather events. The effects are more pronounced among already vulnerable populations, who bear the major brunt of the crisis.
Amid the devastation, homeowners can take steps to increase their homes’ chances of survival, such as creating a safe perimeter and following wildfire safety measures. Furthermore, efforts to protect significant landmarks like Mt. Wilson have been undertaken by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. However, over 10,000 homes in Los Angeles have already been reduced to charred debris. The physical and psychological toll of losing homes and connection to one’s community can be significant, especially for the elderly and those dependent on family or friends. Therefore, the ripple effects of wildfires extend far beyond immediate damage and highlight the urgent need for systemic action and social support.
Impact on the Elderly Population
The transition and psychological adjustment to long-term care in aged care homes are influenced by various factors, including the availability of social supports to cope with bereavement and loss. Older adults, among other vulnerable groups like those living in poverty, children, and people of color, are particularly affected by adverse health events and human rights violations associated with climate crises such as wildfires.
Wildfires, known to cause significant, long-lasting impacts on public health, pose particular threats to marginalized communities and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Older adults, women, and children have higher risks associated with wildfire smoke, leading to increased emergency department visits for anxiety disorders. The aftermath of wildfires often challenges the access to basic healthcare needs for survivors, including the elderly population, highlighting the crucial role of health centers and community clinics in providing necessary care.
Studies have shown differences in self-reported mental health among aging cohorts depending on their housing situations, emphasizing the importance of stable housing for mental well-being. Wildfires that destroy homes and infrastructure contribute to the deterioration of mental health among older adults, particularly in the absence of sufficient social support systems. In the face of these adversities, aid programs have been put in place to provide necessary healthcare services, including prescription drugs, and support the recovery of those affected by the fires.
These occurrences underline the importance of addressing the specific needs of vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and low-income individuals, in the development and execution of recovery programs. Policymakers must also prepare for unforeseen circumstances, like pandemics, that may put additional strain on health facilities, and consider the ripple effect that wildfires have on local services in surrounding communities. There is a critical need for the allocation of funds for wildfire prevention resources to consider elderly and low-income individuals.
The content is provided by Sierra Knightley, Financial Pulse Now
