Three years prior, the tranquil suburban area northwest of Denver, Colorado, experienced a destructive event known as the Marshall Fire. This wind-fueled inferno obliterated entire neighborhoods, forcing residents to flee and reshaping their lives permanently. Currently, those who lived through this disaster are offering their invaluable insights to support individuals in Los Angeles dealing with the repercussions of similar wildfire incidents.
For Melanie Glover, who lived through the Marshall Fire, the ordeal was terrifying. Just a day prior to New Year’s Eve in 2021, she found herself trapped in traffic while her family desperately attempted to flee their blazing house. Listening helplessly to their plight over the phone, Glover could do nothing but hope for their safety. Once the immediate threat subsided, the aftermath was still daunting. As time turned from weeks to months, she faced the emotional and practical struggles of piecing her life back together.
For Melanie Glover, a survivor of the Marshall Fire, the experience was harrowing. On the day before New Year’s Eve in 2021, she was stuck in traffic while her family frantically tried to escape their burning home. Helplessly listening to their struggles over the phone, Glover could only pray that they would make it out alive. When the immediate danger passed, the trauma lingered. Weeks turned into months as she grappled with the emotional and logistical challenges of rebuilding her life.
Fostering connections among survivors
En enero de 2025, los incendios de Palisades y Eaton causaron estragos en Los Ángeles, arrasando hogares y obligando a numerosas familias a desplazarse. Julie DiBiase, residente de Boulder con conexiones en Colorado y California, comprendiendo las enormes dificultades que enfrentaban las víctimas, creó un grupo en Facebook denominado «De las Montañas a la Playa». Este grupo pretendía ser un enlace entre los sobrevivientes del Incendio de Marshall y aquellos afectados por los incendios de California.
With over 1,400 participants, DiBiase’s group has turned into a crucial support system for wildfire victims. It offers more than just practical advice—it provides a community where survivors can relate to others who genuinely comprehend their struggles. “There’s a special kind of reassurance in speaking with someone who has faced similar challenges,” DiBiase noted. “It goes beyond exchanging resources; it’s about fostering empathy.”
With more than 1,400 members, DiBiase’s group has become a lifeline for wildfire victims. It’s not just a resource for practical advice—it’s a space where survivors can connect with people who truly understand what they’re going through. “There’s something uniquely comforting about talking to someone who’s been in your shoes,” DiBiase explained. “It’s not just about sharing resources; it’s about sharing empathy.”
One of the group’s members, Anna Ballou, stumbled across it while searching online for guidance on navigating the aftermath of a wildfire. Although Ballou’s rental home was spared from the flames, it was coated in soot, ash, and chemicals from the firefighting efforts. She worried about the potential health risks for her family and the uncertainty of living in a home they didn’t own.
Transforming adversity into action
Para sobrevivientes como DiBiase y Glover, brindar ayuda a otros les ha dado un sentido de propósito tras su propio trauma. DiBiase se inspiró en otro grupo de Facebook creado por Meryl Suissa, una sobreviviente del Incendio de Marshall. Originalmente concebido como una plataforma de intercambio directo entre donantes y sobrevivientes, el grupo de Suissa se transformó en un recurso más amplio para la recuperación tras desastres. Ahora, Suissa ha adaptado el concepto para apoyar a las víctimas de los incendios en California, ofreciendo consejos y recopilando recursos basados en las lecciones aprendidas del Incendio de Marshall.
For survivors like DiBiase and Glover, helping others has provided a sense of purpose in the wake of their own trauma. DiBiase drew inspiration from another Facebook group created by Marshall Fire survivor Meryl Suissa. Initially designed as a direct donor-to-survivor exchange platform, Suissa’s group evolved into a broader resource for disaster recovery. Now, Suissa has adapted the concept to support California wildfire victims, providing advice and compiling resources based on lessons learned from the Marshall Fire.
Sus esfuerzos van más allá de la ayuda inmediata. Suissa está promoviendo la creación de un centro centralizado donde los sobrevivientes de desastres puedan acceder a información y apoyo confiables. Imagina un sistema que incluya desde actualizaciones sobre la remoción de escombros hasta la coordinación de donaciones, garantizando que los sobrevivientes no tengan que enfrentar el proceso de recuperación por sí solos.
Her efforts extend beyond immediate assistance. Suissa is advocating for a centralized hub where disaster survivors can find reliable information and support. She envisions a system that includes everything from debris removal updates to donation coordination, ensuring that survivors don’t have to navigate the recovery process alone.
Para Glover, la reconstrucción de su hogar en Louisville, Colorado, se convirtió en una forma de transformar su dolor en algo constructivo. Optó por emplear materiales resistentes al fuego y sostenibles, como los EcoBlox de Colorado Earth, fabricados a partir de tierra y arcilla. Su objetivo era crear una vivienda que fuera ecológica y estuviera mejor preparada para enfrentar futuros desastres.
“When people hear ‘Earth home,’ they often envision something unusual or quirky,” Glover remarked. “However, I sought to demonstrate that it’s possible to create a stunning, practical dwelling that’s also sustainable and resistant to fires.”
“When people hear ‘Earth home,’ they think of something unconventional or eccentric,” Glover said. “But I wanted to prove that you can build a beautiful, functional home that’s also sustainable and fire-resistant.”
A community that remembers
A community that doesn’t forget
“It’s the community that remembers,” Glover stated. “They are the ones who remain by your side for the duration, providing support and empathy when it’s most needed.”
This communal spirit has been central to the survivor-to-survivor support networks forming after recent wildfires. Stretching from Colorado to California, these networks demonstrate that, despite facing tremendous loss, individuals can unite to reconstruct communities that are stronger and more resilient.
This sense of community has been at the heart of the survivor-to-survivor support networks emerging in the wake of recent wildfires. From Colorado to California, these networks are proving that even in the face of unimaginable loss, people can come together to rebuild stronger, more resilient communities.
As Glover continues to share her experiences and advocate for sustainable rebuilding practices, she reflects on a piece of wisdom she once heard: “Find your pain, and you find your purpose.” For her, that purpose has become clear—helping others navigate the challenges of recovery and inspiring hope for the future.
In the aftermath of devastation, these survivors are showing that healing is not just about rebuilding homes; it’s about rebuilding lives, one connection at a time. Through their efforts, they are turning tragedy into an opportunity to create a more supportive and resilient future for wildfire-affected communities.
