Altadena Fire Victim Thankful and Vigilant
The Eaton Fire was among the biggest of multiple wildfires that erupted on Jan. 7 and spread quickly in powerful Santa Ana Winds across the Los Angeles area. The wildfires are potentially the most costly disaster in U.S. history.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Writer
The Eaton Fire was among the biggest of multiple wildfires that erupted on Jan. 7 and spread quickly in powerful Santa Ana Winds across the Los Angeles area. The wildfires are potentially the most costly disaster in U.S. history.
There were 80 MPH wind gusts that took out 14,000 acres and destroyed more than 9,400 structures, mostly in the Altadena area.
One home that no longer stands belongs to Gerry Allen- A resident in the home for some thirty -four years before she was forced to evacuate. Her 80-year-old sister also had to leave her nearby home.
Altadena Fire victim Gerry Allen seated -Takes a moment with sister and Rampage (Photos: Earl Heath)
The 84 -year-old Allen was dealt a double whammy. She emerged from the hospital in an electric wheelchair having survived a bout with leukemia. We met at So-Fi Stadium where the RAMS and Clippers were part of Twelve Los Angeles professional sports organizations – the Angels, Angel City FC, Chargers, Dodgers, Ducks, Galaxy, LAFC, Kings, Lakers, and Sparks – in partnership with the teams’ foundations have joined forces with Fanatics and the Fanatics Foundation to distribute $3 million worth of Fanatics merchandise to Angelenos who have been evacuated from their homes. Teams are also collectively contributing thousands of essential items including apparel, personal hygiene kits, school supplies, and sneakers -And giving them to those in need.
While recovering she was home less than a week when the Eaton fire erupted. She and some five other family members landed at the Pasadena Convention Center which housed 900 evacuees from the fires. They then moved on to a bed and breakfast as a temporary home in Santa Ana.
“I know it’s a short-term home,” said Allen. “But the people and the city are so nice and welcoming, they showed us that people really care.
Nephew Jonathon Henderson is a big help to Gerry. He and other family members assisted with mobility and the little things that are a little more complicated now that she’s not as mobile. He works as a driver in Inglewood. The ride to work was 15 miles to Altadena and Now 30 miles to and from the bed and breakfast that’s now home, Henderson lost the RAMS Super Bowl jersey, Kobe’s autographed jersey, Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s Autographed – “It was sad to lose those things but my family is ok that’s what is important,” said Henderson.
A law firm representing victims of the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles has submitted photos with a legal filing recently that appeared to show exposed wire at the base of a Southern California Edison tower that the firm alleges may have contributed to the deadly blaze.
“I’ve covered fires in Southern California for more than two decades. This was like nothing I’ve ever experienced,” Leann Suter of Channel 7 Los Angeles said. “All of a sudden, you would be pelted with these huge pieces of embers flying through the air, and you could feel them hitting you on the back.” This week The Eaton and Palisades fires, two of the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in California history, reached 100 percent containment more than three weeks after they began.
Kathryn Barger, chairwoman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, commended the firefighters and other emergency personnel for their work. She called for a focus on rebuilding and recovery, as well as on readiness for future disasters. The Eaton fire, she said in a statement, “has taught us all that we must remain vigilant and prepare for the unimaginable.”
Gerry Allen is one of those who are thankful and vigilant.
