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.
Glover’s recovery was not solely due to her own resilience; the encouragement she received from others who had weathered comparable tragedies played a crucial role. Individuals who had gone through the Waldo Canyon Fire, which devastated Colorado Springs a decade before, offered their stories and guidance, fostering a feeling of unity and optimism. Presently, Glover, along with many other Marshall Fire survivors, is giving back by supporting those affected by the recent wildfires in California.
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.
Con más de 1,400 integrantes, el grupo de DiBiase se ha convertido en un salvavidas para las víctimas de incendios forestales. Va más allá de ser solo un lugar para obtener consejos prácticos—es un entorno donde los sobrevivientes pueden relacionarse con personas que realmente comprenden su situación. “Hay algo especialmente reconfortante al hablar con alguien que ha pasado por lo mismo,” comentó DiBiase. “No se trata solo de compartir recursos; se trata de compartir empatía.”
Una de las integrantes del grupo, Anna Ballou, lo descubrió por casualidad mientras buscaba en línea orientación para enfrentar las secuelas de un incendio forestal. Aunque la casa alquilada de Ballou escapó de las llamas, quedó cubierta de hollín, cenizas y productos químicos utilizados en la extinción del fuego. Estaba preocupada por los posibles riesgos para la salud de su familia y la incertidumbre de habitar una vivienda que no les pertenecía.
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
For individuals like DiBiase and Glover, assisting others has brought them a sense of purpose following their own traumatic experiences. DiBiase found motivation from another Facebook group founded by Marshall Fire survivor Meryl Suissa. Originally intended as a platform for direct exchanges between donors and survivors, Suissa’s group grew into a comprehensive resource for disaster recovery. Now, Suissa has modified the concept to aid California wildfire victims, offering guidance and gathering resources drawn from insights gained during the Marshall Fire.
Suissa destacó que el apoyo comunitario es fundamental en la recuperación tras un desastre. “La mayor parte del proceso de recuperación proviene de las personas—tus vecinos, negocios locales y organizaciones de base,” comentó. “Son las pequeñas conexiones humanas las que marcan la mayor diferencia.”
Suissa emphasized that community support plays a crucial role in disaster recovery. “Most of the recovery process comes from people—your neighbors, local businesses, and grassroots organizations,” she said. “It’s the small, human connections that make the biggest difference.”
Reconstrucción con fortaleza
For Glover, reconstructing her home in Louisville, Colorado, turned into an opportunity to transform her anguish into a constructive endeavor. She decided to utilize fire-resistant and sustainable materials, like Colorado Earth’s EcoBlox, composed of earth and clay. Her aim was to build a residence that was eco-conscious and more resilient against potential future disasters.
“Cuando la gente escucha ‘casa de tierra’, piensa en algo poco convencional o excéntrico,” comentó Glover. “Pero quería demostrar que se puede construir un hogar hermoso y funcional que también sea sostenible y resistente al fuego.”
Glover se encuentra actualmente adaptando los diseños de casas de tierra para cumplir con las normativas de construcción específicas de California, con la esperanza de motivar a otros a considerar enfoques similares. Al compartir su experiencia, busca concienciar sobre métodos de construcción alternativos que puedan reducir el impacto de los incendios forestales.
Una comunidad que recuerda siempre
A community that doesn’t forget
“Es la comunidad la que no olvida,” señaló Glover. “Son ellos quienes están contigo a largo plazo, brindando apoyo y comprensión cuando más lo necesitas.”
“It’s the community that doesn’t forget,” Glover said. “They’re the ones who stick with you for the long haul, offering support and understanding when you need it most.”
Mientras Glover sigue compartiendo sus experiencias y promoviendo prácticas de reconstrucción sostenibles, reflexiona sobre una enseñanza que escuchó en una ocasión: “Encuentra tu dolor, y encontrarás tu propósito.” Para ella, ese propósito se ha vuelto evidente—ayudar a otros a enfrentar los desafíos de la recuperación e inspirar esperanza para el futuro.
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.
