Messages of Hope and Regrowth Emerge in a Still Hurting Pacific Palisades | Photo Gallery

Two months after the devastating wildfires, TheWrap sent a reporter and photographer back to the Palisades. These images tell the story. The post Messages of Hope and Regrowth Emerge in a Still Hurting Pacific Palisades | Photo Gallery appeared first on TheWrap.

Mar 26, 2025 - 15:38

Messages of Hope and Regrowth Emerge in a Still Hurting Pacific Palisades | Photo Gallery

Walking up and down the now-singed blocks of the Pacific Palisades was harrowing even two months after the generational fire and wind storm ravaged the coveted Los Angeles suburb.

Yard signs noting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ clearing and rebuilding progress replaced mailboxes. Excavators actively cleared some lots in the neighborhood, while other lots looked unchanged since they were kissed by flames. Parked cars yet to be cleared were surrounded by glass from shattered windows.

Nearly 7,000 structures burned down in the January Palisades fire. Schools, grocery stores and small businesses were not immune from the unrelenting flames. As rebuilding efforts pick up steam in the area, the neighborhood remains inhabitable for many. While a handful of businesses have opened up, including a cafe, which has served the community for 20 years, the community is still healing and it will likely take years to establish a new normal.

Strolling through the neighborhood, signs of regrowth appear in nature. Pink and green flowers emerge on the trees. A small sprout pokes out of a burned palm tree. The landscape is screaming for rebirth, blossoming with hope.

Residents are hopeful, too. Many we spoke to in the area on a gloomy Friday afternoon look forward to building the community back up, connecting with neighbors and moving back to the place they call home. — Tess Patton, reporter

***

It has been two months now since that fateful day on January 7, but I
remembered it as if it was yesterday.

We have had many wildfires in California, but I could not have foreseen that this would be one of the most devastating natural disasters in California.

I moved to Los Angeles in 1996. I have spent majority of my life here, more than my homeland, Thailand. Los Angeles is my home. This fire feels personal. Walking down blocks of houses now left in ruin, it is hard not to be overcome with emotion. Most of the time I was able to focus on my task at hand, capturing pictures as best I could, but at times, the in-person visual was so visceral that it brought me to tears.

While the majority of the devastation remains, we started to see some movement of rebuilding. Some businesses like Palisades Garden Cafe have reopened to the community, and many people that we encountered during our afternoon in the Palisades are planning to move back in and start over. — Tiensirin Tienngern, photographer

Two homes show a contrasting view of the Palisades fire’s destruction. On one lot only a chimney remains while the other new build, which started construction before the fires, was spared by the fires. (Photo by Tiensirin Tienngern for TheWrap)

Excavators trucks removed debris from the site. (Photo by Tiensirin Tienngern for TheWrap)

Pacific Palisades — Chuck Hart, owner of Hart Built Construction and his crew, clear a lot. (Photo by Tiensirin Tienngern for TheWrap)

Pacific Palisades, Palisade Fire, Pacific Palisades — Nicole Gyarmathy of Johnson Tree Company works to protect and refurbish plants and tress in the burn areas. She stands just a few yards away from her apartment now burned down. (Photo by Tiensirin Tienngern for TheWrap)

Pacific Palisades, Palisades Fires — A sign near the Palisades Charter High School reads “Save Palisades Trees.” (Photo by Tiensirin Tienngern for TheWrap)

Pacific Palisades, Pierson Playhouse, Theatre Palisades — The Pierson Playhouse’s iron structure is all that still stands after the Palisades fire. (Photo by Tiensirin Tienngern for TheWrap)

Pacific Palisades, Rebuild, Palisade Fire, aftermath — A sign depicts the status of removal completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (Photo by Tiensirin Tienngern for TheWrap)

Pacific Palisades Rebuild — Looking inside the Village School, melted iron bars and cluttered debris fill the school hallways. (Photo by Tiensirin Tienngern for TheWrap)

EXCLUSIVE: Pacific Palisades Rebuild — Palisades Garden Cafe is now open for business. At 3 p.m. on a Friday the cafe was bustling with customers. (Photo by Tiensirin Tienngern for TheWrap)

Pacific Palisades, Palisades Garden Cafe — Residents have returned to support hometown staple Palisades Garden Cafe. (Photo by Tiensirin Tienngern for TheWrap)

The post Messages of Hope and Regrowth Emerge in a Still Hurting Pacific Palisades | Photo Gallery appeared first on TheWrap.