Without missing a beat, locals are already planning to rebuild.
As flames burn across the Southern California landscape, some people are focusing on what happens next. Nearby neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades have been destroyed by the Palisades Fire. Containment is minimal, while debris, downed trees and power lines remain strewn about – creating a dangerous fire risk amid the Santa Ana winds.
Without missing a beat, locals are already planning to rebuild.
Locals come out to support frontliners battling wildfires in Southern California
Chuck Hart, a fourth-generation Palisadian, said, “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that what I’m seeing right now would come from the phone call I got.”
the second heart heard about fireHe and his team of contractors jumped to the front lines to protect their community.
A burned playground in Pacific Palisades. (Sunny Tsai/FoxBusiness)
“I’ve poured water on fires before, but when they’re coming down the valley with the wind Scorching and blowing hot embers and flamesAnd now the hot steam, my eyes, my nose, my face… I mean, it’s intense,” Hart said.
California restaurant offering ‘nonstop’ free pizza to help wildfire victims, first responders
After fighting the flames, Hart and his team went straight into Road cleaning.
“I think more than anything, this is a campaign to clean it up, get it going so we can get off the streets,” Hart said.
A tractor moves fallen trees from the road. (Sunny Tsai/FoxBusiness)
These efforts go far beyond Hart and his team.
“I think it’s simple. It’s what we know how to do. Like we don’t want to leave or move away from here…we want to be a part of building it back,” said Palisadian Nicole Gyaramethy.
California wildfires could cost insurers $20B, the most in state history
Gyaramathi and Eli Johnson’s home was destroyed in the Palisades fire. Without hesitation, they immediately returned to the site of destruction, ready to rebuild their community.
View of a Pacific Ocean beach property destroyed as a result of the Palisades Fire in Malibu, California on January 12, 2025. (Frederick J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Johnson said, “I grew up here, and knowing that my dad grew up here and knowing that my grandparents grew up here, I mean, my roots are here. And you know that Let’s protect.”
Get Fox Business by clicking here
That’s exactly what these Palisadians are going for as they continue their efforts day after day.
“This is brand new, we’re going to start something we’ve never done before – one day at a time, it’s going to reveal itself as to what our next prompted action is,” Gyaramathi said.
