Howard Botts built his home in Pacific Palisades to withstand wildfires, but challenges remain for the community.
Botts lives in Rustic Canyon, a neighborhood that’s seen its share of fires, but the recent ones were different. On the day the fire broke out, he saw smoke billowing from the Santa Monica Mountains. With winds gusting up to 50 miles per hour, he and his wife quickly packed essentials, unsure of how fast the flames would spread. Soon, they joined thousands of others evacuating the area.
When he returned, he found his home intact but covered in ash and smoke damage. The devastation around him was shocking, with many homes, including those of celebrities, completely destroyed. The landscape looked like a war zone, with only remnants of structures left standing.
The Pacific Palisades is nestled between the ocean and mountains, making it beautiful but also prone to wildfires. Many residents, including Botts, underestimated the risk, thinking such a disaster wouldn’t happen to them.
The fires were fueled by a mix of factors: rising temperatures, strong winds, and a lack of firefighting resources. Botts is committed to staying in the Palisades, having taken steps to protect his home, like installing fire-resistant features. However, he acknowledges that recovery for the community will take years, with many homes needing extensive repairs.
Insurance costs are a big concern too. With rising premiums and stricter building codes, some residents may not be able to afford to rebuild. Botts himself faced a huge jump in his insurance costs, forcing him to seek coverage from a state program.
As Californians adapt to these challenges, there will be a push for better community efforts to reduce wildfire risks. Homeowners will need to make changes to their properties, and there will be greater investments in public safety resources to help protect against future fires.
