Kate Beckinsale perfectly summed up the trauma of losing your home to wildfire, say experts
“Lost our house wearing an Hermes scarf is (private) chef’s kiss,” one person wrote underneath one of Heidi Montag’s TikTok videos, as she and her family evacuated their Los Angeles home. “Cries in her 250k car,” wrote another.
In the wake of the devastating LA wildfires, currently ravaging the Palisades, Eaton and large swathes of Southern California, there has been a rather disconcerting reaction online – particularly when it comes to the celebrities whose homes have been reduced to rubble and ash, or are still ablaze.
Of course there are thousands of people affected by the destruction – so far, more than 130,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes and five have been killed in the blaze. Iconic landmarks, such as the Hollywood sign, the Rose Bowl and the Griffith Observatory are also under threat, as the flames encroach on the metropolitan area of the city.
And, equally, many of the celebrities impacted by the fires will have the financial means to seek shelter and rebuild their homes once rescue workers tackle the flames.
But, as actress Kate Beckinsale pointed out on her socials, it isn’t just the material loss; it’s also the impact on a community, and the personal memories attached to a place.
She wrote on Instagram: “My daughter and I lived there for most of her childhood and most of her childhood is gone. Her primary school, every shop or restaurant we used to go to with my parents and Michael’s [Sheen] parents – and devastatingly, most of her friend’s homes.”
Dealing with trauma
Senior BACP-accredited therapist, Eve Menezes, was compelled to become a trauma therapist following a house fire in 2008. Despite her own loss, she sees how the wildfires in LA have a wider reaching impact, and calls for empathy at this time.
“My neighbours were there for me, offering me shelter and safety,” she says. “This entire community is being traumatised at the same time. It is incredibly destabilising and life changing.”
She also empathises with the A-listers currently watching their homes go up in flames. “Even if they have more than one home, the horror of losing so much – and the idea that they might not have been evacuated in time – has a very traumatic impact,” Eve says.
“Wealth helps with rebuilding, but doesn’t protect people from fear and loss. I remind my trauma clients who worry that their trauma isn’t as bad as others that someone can drown in a puddle as well as an ocean.”
“Self empathy, recognising your right to whatever you’re feeling and welcoming all the feelings will help with the healing,” she adds. “We seem to be living in a time where too many people are dehumanising other groups of people, often marginalised groups, and sometimes, in the case of celebrities, privileged groups. But it doesn’t matter who you are or that you can (hopefully) afford to start again; you are going to have strong feelings and you deserve support, care, love, safety and kindness as you navigate this enormous loss.”
Psychotherapist Bhavna Raithatha echoes this view, stating: “It’s important to focus on the humanity of everyone affected – whether they are a celebrity or not. Everyone is frightened, bewildered and many devastated by the staggering loss of property, animals and some lives. This is what my work with survivors of natural disasters has taught me.”
Rebuilding
When it comes to rebuilding their lives, Eve says that, while those affected by the wildfires may be traumatised by the event, they should find it easier to recover than if the event happened to just them.
She explains: “The kind of trauma that impacts lots of people is easier to heal from than interpersonal trauma where survivors have internalised so much shame around what made them vulnerable. But it is still important to get to safety and stay safe.”
“Be as connected as you possibly can with your neighbours and friends who are going through the same healing – and with loved ones and friends and community wherever you’re staying and rebuilding,” she advises.
“We’re wired to thrive when we feel safe, welcome and loved, so steer clear (as far as possible) of any judgmental people and find the ones who can offer you the safe landing space and love and care you and everyone deserve.
“Find ways to support others where possible, too. You might get to know neighbours you never knew. Or you might get to know survivors of other wildfires in other parts of the country and world. Just follow the wisdom of your nervous system and move as much as possible towards what feels good and away from what doesn’t.”
She adds: “If you haven’t already thought about therapy, give yourself that gift. Individual or group depending on your resources, preferences and availability. Trauma recovery takes time. Let yourself grieve and put supports in place that allow you to heal too.”
Bhavna also says that common side-effects of such disasters include extreme fear, PTSD, trauma and hypervigilance – which can last months, if not years.
“It will be important that everyone affected is given access to debriefs as soon as possible, and that therapeutic intervention is made available for as long as required. The sooner people are supported, the sooner healing and rebuilding – both emotional and physical – can begin,” she says.
“People are in this for the long haul, communities will be rebuilt but the emotional toll will stay for some time. However, we must remember that the human spirit is indomitable – they are going to be okay in due course. We just have to do all we can to help and offer support now and in the coming days and months.”
How to help those affected by the LA wildfires
If you would like to help those affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles, there are a number of charities and organisations seeking donations and volunteers.
American Red Cross
The charity is currently deploying hundreds of volunteers in the area to help with emergency relief for residents and those impacted by the disaster.
If you are based in the UK, you can still donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief (which distributes funds to various areas in need, as well as communities in California impacted by the wildfires), it will just be processed in US dollars as opposed to GBP.
Wildlife Recovery Fund
Beyond just aid, the fund works with communities to rebuild – both their homes and their lives. They are committed to helping the most vulnerable to ensure communities can heal.
The fund also accepts donation from those overseas, as well as US citizens.
Read more about the LA wildfires here:
Celebrities lose homes and flee as Los Angeles fires spread (Reuters, 4-min read)
How to safely evacuate a wildfire (AP, 5-min read)
Eaton Fire victim dies holding a hose, defending home (KTLA, 2-min read)
