In Fire’s Wake, a Community Comes Together to Prevent Future Disasters

“As we address the aftermath of the wildfires, let us resolve not just to build back better but also smarter, with a commitment to the environment and future generations. As a pastor, I am guided by the principle that caring for creation is an integral part of our faith. Let us take inspiration from the teachings of love and stewardship, embracing the role of being good caretakers of God’s earth. Without a shadow of a doubt, community solidarity is crucial in the fight against climate change.” Those are the words of Rev. Dr. Larry E. Campbell, Senior Pastor of Pasadena, California’s historic First African Methodist Episcopal Church. Forty-nine members of his congregation lost their homes to the Eaton Fire last month. The Eaton Fire raged through the Pasadena area hitting the neighborhoods of Altadena especially hard. Altadena, where many of Pastor Campell’s congregants live, is an unincorporated part of Los Angeles County just north of Pasadena, nestled in the foothills up against Angeles National Forest. I grew up in a California community similarly on the edge of the wilderness. We were used to fires happening out in the forests, but not in our neighborhoods. Thanks to extreme drought, climate whiplash,...