logo
Six months after LA wildfires, some adjust to new life in vehicles

Six months after LA wildfires, some adjust to new life in vehicles

TimesLIVE03-07-2025
Terry Kilgore lives alone in his Altadena neighbourhood in California, sleeping in a recreational vehicle and surrounded by empty lots that were once the site of family homes.
In January, those homes were burnt to the ground.
Six months after the wildfires that devastated the eastern and western flanks of Los Angeles, Kilgore's RV solution is one way victims are coping as the arduous rebuilding effort goes on.
'You would never know it but it was pretty here. It's never going to be pretty like it was,' said Kilgore, 70, a rock 'n' roll guitarist and lifelong Altadena resident. 'The place I grew up in is gone forever. It's a memory.'
The fires broke out on January 7, when dry desert winds whipped over mountain passes with hurricane force, after eight months without rain. The Eaton Fire, in Los Angeles County just east of the city, devastated the community of Altadena, while the Palisades Fire levelled much of the coastal Pacific Palisades district.
The fires killed 22 people, destroyed nearly 12,000 homes and caused as much as $53.8bn in property damage, according to a report by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.
While many homeowners complain about delays, city and county officials say rebuilding progress has exceeded initial expectations. About 75% of the 4,398 residential lots destroyed or severely damaged in the city of Los Angeles have been cleared of debris and are certified for rebuilding, according to a spokesperson for mayor Karen Bass.
In Altadena, in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, there are still a few burnt-out and boarded-up businesses. Some are strewn with rubble. But most of the residential lots are cleared and free of char.
One source of Altadena's charm — its proximity to nature — also made it vulnerable to wildfire.
Black and Latino families have lived in Altadena for generations and the suburb is also popular with younger artists and engineers working at the nearby NASA rocket lab who were attracted by the small-town vibe and spectacular mountain views.
Now the town is dotted with signs of 'Altadena is not for sale', reflecting concerns that speculators and developers may turn what had been rows of neat bungalows into gaudy cash cows.
Kilgore's RV is parked within a sea of razed lots and the occasional home that is still standing but vacant due to smoke damage. Many homeowners are crashing with friends and family, or renting during the rebuild, but others, like Kilgore, have chosen to live on their properties in RVs.
Jose Luis Martinez, 71, a retired electrician born in El Salvador, had been in his home for 38 years when it burnt down. Uninsured like Kilgore, and living on Social Security, he has no long-term plan but decided to hold onto the property and camp in an RV.
Others received insurance payments. Retired pastor Edwin Isaacs, 64, paid off his mortgage and is happy to live on his property condition-free in an RV, while Marialyce Pedersen has parked a trailer on her property while she rebuilds.
'I was 61 years old and ready to retire and enjoy my pool and my life. I love that my land is still here,' she said. 'Here it feels familiar, like the right place for my body to be.'
Kilgore, who once played with former Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth, says he lost some of his best guitars in the fire, including a 1953 Fender Telecaster and a 1904 Parlor, along with an estimated $120,000 in equipment from his home studio. He said he saved five guitars that he grabbed on his way out the door to evacuate.
He once lived in a comfortable home with a high ceiling and tree-filled yard. Now he sweats inside a Bounder RV and washes and shaves with cold hose water in an outdoor basin. His main goal, he said, is to re-record all his original music that was lost in the fire.
'That's probably what's left for me to do,' Kilgore said. 'I could die after that, for all I care. I've seen enough of this monkey show, I'm telling you.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Safety concerns lead SPCA to halt mobile clinic services in Khayelitsha
Safety concerns lead SPCA to halt mobile clinic services in Khayelitsha

IOL News

time3 days ago

  • IOL News

Safety concerns lead SPCA to halt mobile clinic services in Khayelitsha

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has withdrawn mobile clinic services in Khayelitsha following two attempted armed robberies. Image: Supplied The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has withdrawn its Mobile Clinic Services in Khayelitsha after two attempted armed robberies on their staff in just a matter of days. In a harrowing incident, one of their mobile clinic operators shared how they managed to flee with their lives and saved four cats and 12 dogs, during a near hijacking incident. The team's SPCA vehicle was targeted twice in the same community in Khayelitsha in just two days. The operator, chose to remain anonymous due to safety concerns and described in horror how he faced two gun-wielding hijackers : 'I drove for my life and theirs. 'I'm the breadwinner at home. My immediate concern was what will happen to my family if I am not here anymore and what will happen to the animals in my van. 'Then I drove for my life and theirs. 'One gunman was in front of the vehicle and the other at my side window. I am thankful to God that I was able to get away.' Belinda Abraham, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA's Communications Officer said their staff had gone beyond the call of duty by rescuing the lives of the animals and their own. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'This attack followed an initial attempted hijacking of the same van in the same area just 2 days earlier,' she said. 'Inside the vehicle at the time were four cats and twelve dogs, all of which were being returned home following sterilisation at the SPCA's Animal Hospital. 'While the staff member escaped physically unharmed, the trauma of these attacks has left the mobile clinic team visibly shaken. 'Counselling and psychological support are being provided through the SPCA's staff wellness initiatives.' Abraham said in a bid to safeguard their staff, they have made the difficult decision to withdraw mobile clinic services in Khayelitsha. The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has withdrawn mobile clinic services in Khayelitsha following two attempted armed robberies. Image: Supplied 'This is devastating for the animals of Khayelitsha,' said Abraham. 'Crime threatens human lives and now it has robbed animals of essential veterinary care. 'The SPCA mobile clinics are a lifeline for pets in this community, pro‐viding vaccinations, sterilisation, and parasite treatments in an area where access to veterinary care is already so limited. We are incredibly saddened that it has come to this. 'Our priority remains the safety of our staff, who often work under extreme risk to provide services to animals in crime‐ridden areas. While we continue to seek safer ways to pro‐actively serve in these communities, our commitment to animal welfare in Khayelitsha will for the immediate future be limited to Inspectorate ser‐vices only. 'In November, inspectors who were attempting to remove two dogs from their owners were lucky to escape with their lives after bricks were thrown at them in Delft. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus

Burnout alert! Smart revision tips for parents navigating term 3 chaos
Burnout alert! Smart revision tips for parents navigating term 3 chaos

IOL News

time3 days ago

  • IOL News

Burnout alert! Smart revision tips for parents navigating term 3 chaos

Helping your child revise in a smarter, more structured way can go a long way in preventing burnout. Image: Pexels/August de Richelieu As term 3 kicks off - arguably the most academically intense stretch of the school year - students are under pressure to perform. Whether it's the build-up to matric final exams or internal assessments across grades, this is the term where things get real. But for learners to succeed, especially under mounting academic demands, they need more than just textbooks and timetables - they need a strategy. And that's where parents come in. Supporting your child doesn't mean hovering or micromanaging. It's about creating an environment and routine that encourages effective, healthy study habits - helping them work smarter, not harder. Here's how parents can help learners revise with purpose and avoid burnout this term: Help them build a realistic study plan Avoid cramming the night before. Encourage your child to break subjects into smaller chunks and set achievable weekly goals. Use a wall calendar, Google Calendar, or printable planner to map it all out visually. Tip: Include breaks, fun activities and downtime to avoid overloading the schedule. Create a distraction-free study space It doesn't have to be fancy - just clean, quiet and consistent. A dedicated study zone, even if it's just a corner of a shared room, helps the brain switch into 'focus mode.' Bonus: Keep stationery, highlighters and notes within reach to reduce the urge to wander. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ A dedicated study zone, even if it's just a corner of a shared room, helps the brain switch into 'focus mode.' Image: Pexels/Julia M Cameron Manage digital distractions together TikTok, WhatsApp and Instagram are productivity's worst enemies. Consider 'study mode' apps that limit screen time while rewarding focus. You can also set phone-free time blocks during homework hours. Fuel the brain Nutrition matters - especially during long school days and late-night revisions. Stock up on healthy snacks (fruit, nuts, boiled eggs, yoghurt) and keep sugary, processed foods to a minimum. Hydration is just as key: water helps concentration more than energy drinks or soft drinks. Protect their sleep It's tempting to study late into the night, but sleep is critical for memory and mood. Encourage a regular sleep routine and aim for 7–9 hours, even during exams. A well-rested brain retains more and performs better. Communicate with teachers Don't wait until term 4 to check in. If your child is struggling or falling behind, schedule a chat with their teacher. Many schools also offer extra lessons or support programmes during term 3. Normalise breaks and mental health days Academic pressure is real - especially in Grade 6, 9 and matric. Give your child permission to pause. A short walk, a laugh or even a day to rest and reset can do wonders for long-term performance.

Independent Media spends 67 minutes for Mandela Day with the homeless at U-Turn's Tshepo Community Development Initiative
Independent Media spends 67 minutes for Mandela Day with the homeless at U-Turn's Tshepo Community Development Initiative

IOL News

time18-07-2025

  • IOL News

Independent Media spends 67 minutes for Mandela Day with the homeless at U-Turn's Tshepo Community Development Initiative

Independent Media joins the Tshepo Foundation to celebrate Mandela Day. Image: Nobantu Cala Independent Media visited the Northcliff homeless community at the Tshepo Foundation Centre on Friday to commemorate Nelson Mandela Day. Indy was warmly welcomed by the U-turn Homeless Ministries and the Tshepo Foundation. The day is celebrated annually on July 18 to honour the life and the legacy of former president Nelson Mandela. Independent Media dedicated 67 minutes to serving breakfast to the Northcliff homeless community. One of the homeless individuals, Derby McLaoen, readily shared her story with IOL about her journey at the Tshepo Foundation Centre. McLaoen explained that she became homeless after losing her house in Johannesburg last year. The 73-year-old woman revealed that she lived on the streets for a year, relying on strangers for food and money to survive. 'I used to sleep under the bridge without food, and I had no family to turn to because they all live abroad,' McLaoen said. Another homeless individual, Sphiwe Radebe, stated that substance abuse is one of the reasons that led him to the streets. 'I got subjected to be on the streets and have found myself comfortable in a substance called methcathinone and I used to sell around the city to try to make a living.' The community stated that the Tshepo Foundation Centre has been helpful and has provided them with food, shelter and toiletries. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Tshepo Foundation focuses on providing support to homeless people. The organisation provides innovative skills-based programme designed by a multidisciplinary team of occupational therapists, social workers, homeless support workers, counsellors, trainers and life coaches to help improve the lives of homeless people. The General Manager at Tshepo Foundation, Ailet Geldenhuys, explained that they assist with food, clothing, showers and blankets. She explained that the idea is to be a stepping stone for someone to find their way off the street. 'We have adapted the three phases from U-turn Homeless Ministries that help homeless people improve their lives. We have phase one where the homeless join our programmes to learn basic skills, and phase two helps them get sober, and on the third stage, they are taught skills to help them get job opportunities,' said Geldenhuys. The organisation states that it celebrates Mandela Day to assist those in need and make a difference in the community. Geldenhuys emphasises that Nelson Mandela left a legacy and initiated a concept that encourages people to unite and support their communities. IOL News

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store