When the Flames Take All: Trauma and Recovery After a Fire

Source: Adam Wilson / Unsplash

Born and raised in the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley, the location of the Eaton fire in Los Angeles, I have watched in horror over the last 48 hours as Altadena, a city where I had attended school, held my first job, learned to play tennis, went to birthday parties, weddings, memorial services, and bar mitzvahs, and Eaton Canyon itself, a place where I had spent countless hours of my childhood on family picnics, barbeques, and hikes, burned in total destruction. In less than two days, decades of memories and more than 7,000 homes and businesses were completely gone, leaving thousands of families heartbroken, devastated, and scared.

The Pacific Palisades fire, which burned an equally staggering 5,000 homes and businesses along with it, left what was previously one of the most beautiful and idyllic places to live in our country looking like the aftermath of a nuclear explosion. People around the globe, seeing the pictures, sent messages to ask if what they were seeing was real.

As I processed the images in the media, comforted shell-shocked patients I work with who had lost their homes and communities, heard the news over and over again of people I knew losing everything, and coped with my own fear while fleeing with thousands of people in a mass evacuation as flames rapidly raced down the hills behind my home, I realized that the real devastation of the Los Angeles fires of 2025 was not the tens of thousands of acres they destroyed or the property lost, but the emotional trauma of everyone who had been affected.

Losing everything in a fire is one of the most devastating experiences a person can endure. In an instant, cherished belongings, safe spaces, and a sense of identity are reduced to ashes. The physical destruction is immense, and the psychological toll is profound. How do you cope when everything familiar is gone? How do you begin to rebuild not just your life but your emotional well-being?

The Psychological Impact of Losing Everything

Understanding your response is important. While no two people will respond in the same way, some common things to expect include:

1. Acute Stress and Shock: In the immediate aftermath of a fire, survivors often experience acute stress. This may include feelings of disbelief, numbness, and confusion. The mind struggles to process the enormity of the loss, leaving people in a state of emotional paralysis. This can also show up in the form of physical symptoms, heart palpitations, panic attacks, nausea, head and body aches, and even seizures.

2. Grief and Mourning: The loss of a home and possessions can trigger a deep sense of grief. Objects tied to memories—photo albums, heirlooms, or mementos—serve as anchors to our identity and past. Their loss can feel like the erasure of a part of ourselves.

3. Survivor’s Guilt: For those who escaped the fire but lost others, survivor’s guilt can emerge. Questions like “Why did I survive?” or “Could I have done more?” can haunt the mind, compounding the emotional burden.

4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Fires are inherently traumatic. The sound of sirens, the sight of flames, or even the smell of smoke can trigger intrusive memories and flashbacks. Some may avoid places or situations that remind them of the fire, limiting their ability to fully re-engage with life.

5. Identity Crisis: A home is more than a physical space; it’s a repository of who we are. Losing it can leave survivors feeling untethered and unsure of who they are without the physical markers of their identity.

Steps to Emotional Recovery

While the road to recovery is challenging, it is possible. Healing involves a combination of self-compassion, professional support, and actionable steps to rebuild both emotionally and practically.

1. Acknowledge Your Loss. Give yourself permission to grieve. It’s normal to mourn not just what you lost but the life you had before the fire. Journaling, talking with loved ones, or joining a support group can provide outlets for processing these feelings.

2. Seek Professional Help. Trauma-focused therapy can help you process and reframe the traumatic experience. A therapist can also guide you through symptoms of PTSD or anxiety. When the trauma has been processed, it will also be important to learn how to move forward. Therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and future-directed therapy can help you regain perspective, overcome fear, and focus on solutions for rebuilding your life.

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3. Rebuild Your Sense of Control. Fires strip away control, leaving survivors feeling powerless. Reclaiming agency—even in small ways—can be empowering. This might mean organizing relief efforts, planning the steps to rebuild your home, or creating a daily routine to restore a sense of normalcy.

4. Connect with Others. Isolation can amplify trauma. Reach out to friends, family, or community resources. Sharing your story and hearing others can foster resilience and remind you that you’re not alone in your journey.

5. Practice Self-Compassion. Recovery is not linear, and setbacks are part of the process. Be gentle with yourself. Celebrate small victories, and don’t judge yourself for moments of overwhelm or sadness.

6. Find Meaning Amid the Loss. While it may seem impossible in the immediate aftermath, many survivors eventually find meaning in their experience. This could involve helping others who have endured similar losses, re-evaluating priorities, or finding strength you didn’t know you had.

Hope After the Ashes

Surviving a fire is a testament to your strength, even if you don’t feel strong right now. Recovery takes time, but each day brings new opportunities to rebuild not just your home but your life. With the right support, patience, and perseverance, it is possible to rise from the ashes and create a future filled with hope and resilience.

If you’ve recently experienced a fire, know that your pain is valid, your story matters, and healing is within reach. Seek help, connect with others, and remember: Even after the flames, life always holds the promise of renewal, regrowth, and reinvention.

To find a therapist, please visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.