In a Los Angeles suburb, multigenerational families like the Benns found affordable housing and a deep sense of connection. After the devastating fires, many wonder whether they’ll be able to rebuild what they’ve lost.

The recent fires that ravaged Altadena, California, have left a trail of destruction in a community with deep roots and a rich history.

Altadena stands out with over 80% Black homeownership—double the national average. This community’s roots trace back to the Great Migration of the 1930s, when Black families sought refuge from systemic oppression.

After authorities reopened parts of Altadena for the first time since the Eaton fire, residents returned to a grim checkerboard of destroyed homes next to others that were largely spared.

Aerial drone footage shows the burnt landscape of Altadena, California after fire crews were able to contain a big portion of the Eaton Fire, one of several wildfires that displaced Los Angeles County residents in January.