Supporting Children Through the Trauma of the CA Wildfires

Source: LoggaWiggler from Pixabay

The wildfires that recently ravaged communities in and around Los Angeles were a significantly traumatic experience whose reverberations will continue to be felt well into the future. Children respond to trauma in a variety of ways; it can make them feel frightened, confused, and insecure. Research has shown that exposure to crises like natural disasters such as fires has both short- and long-term adverse effects on children. In the short term, they may struggle with heightened stress responses like irritability, withdrawal, and difficulties in concentration and sleep. Long-term effects can include the development of post-traumatic stress symptoms, anxiety and depressive disorders, and challenges in forming secure attachments.

Whether a child personally experienced trauma, was exposed to the events via television or the internet, or merely heard it discussed by others, it is important for parents and other adults to be informed and know how to help if children begin to manifest traumatic stress reactions.

Some kids have reactions soon after the event, while others will appear fine for weeks or months and then begin to show indications of distress, sometimes through troubling behaviors. For additional insight, I spoke with Dr. Lori Baudino, Psy.D, BC-DMT, an LA-based licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified dance/movement therapist who specializes in supporting children ages 1-18.[1]

She described the ways in which traumatic events can have lasting psychological impacts on children and how she helps them navigate these challenges, heal from past traumas, and build resilience for the future. “The immediate traumatic effects of the fires, such as the sudden and unexpected experience of losing a home and/or school, being displaced, and the significant disruption of daily routines, can be profound. Children may exhibit mood instability, increased anxiety, reactivity, and agitation, disruptions in sleep, eating, and toileting patterns, as well as a lack of motivation and changes in academic performance. Other symptoms deriving from the overall stress and exacerbated by the ash and dust caused by the fires include breathing difficulties, headaches, internal inflammation, and autoimmune effects.“

These immediate responses reflect the emotional turmoil that children experience when their sense of safety and stability is shattered. Studies also suggest that children who experience repeated traumatic events are at increased risk for mental health challenges later in life, which underscores the importance of early intervention and support.[2]

How to Help

• Reassurance is key to helping children regain a semblance of emotional safety and move through traumatic experience. Very young children need supportive and caring physical touch, including hugs/cuddling, as well as verbal soothing.
• Provide opportunities for them to talk about what they are experiencing, seeing, and hearing, and to ask questions. Answer questions honestly and at a level the child can understand, though without unnecessary frightening detail. Don’t be afraid to admit that you can’t answer all their questions. Provide ongoing invitations for children to talk. They are likely to have more questions over time.
• Encourage children of all ages to express emotions through conversation, writing, or artwork, and whenever possible to find ways to help others who were affected by the event.
• As much as possible try to maintain regular routines and encourage children to participate in recreational activity—which provides beneficial outlets for energy and emotion.
• Acknowledge your own reactions associated with the traumatic event—to yourself and your children—and take steps to take care of your own mental and emotional well-being.

F.I.R.E.

Dr. Baudino recommends a broad supportive and coping enhancement strategy based on a protocol she has developed using this apt acronym.

F - Friends and Family. Connection with family and friends is essential. Help children become aware of the resources available to them in their community and encourage them to identify connections. These connections can take the form of daily rituals—such as time with others through family meals, going on outings, or participating in academic projects and sports. Shared activities help children feel supported and grounded, even in times of crisis.

I – Instill. Practice present-centered grounding to instill what is accurate and true in the present moment. Support children by focusing on the here and now, guiding them to identify the truth of their immediate situation. Where are they? Who are they with? What are they doing? Encouraging sensory awareness by helping them learn how to ground themselves in what they can see, hear, touch, taste, or smell—increases a sense of safety and connection.

R – Regulation. Each child has individual needs and differences in how they soothe themselves. It's important to recognize the specific ways in which a child self-soothes and respond accordingly. Observe and become attuned to what children are drawn to and use that knowledge to support their emotional regulation. Recognizing their preferences and aversions can guide effective approaches for calming and building resilience.

E – Engagement. Engagement is about fostering connection through movement-based approaches. Create time for movement together. Quality time is more important than quantity. Movement allows children to embody and express their emotions in a way that can promote healing. Support children in finding ways to engage with their bodies as a tool for emotional expression and regulation. Tuning in to and joining your child(ren) in the ways they move, and engaging in movement forms that facilitate interpersonal connection like a game of “catch,” can deepen a sense of safety.

Trauma Essential Reads

The Terror of Being Hunted by a Buzzing Drone

Understanding Trauma Beyond Emotional Pain

As Dr. Baudino emphasizes, amid the ashes of this traumatic event, there arises the potential for positive post-traumatic growth. With time and attuned support, many children demonstrate remarkable resilience, gaining a new perspective on life. Through this process, children can develop stronger coping capacities, better emotional regulation, and enhanced social support systems, all of which contribute to their ability to successfully navigate future challenges.

Copyright 2025 Dan Mager, MSW