LA Fires Make Family Question Whether to Stay in Los Angeles

Los Angeles: I’ve been living in LA for 16 years now. I met my husband here and we have two daughters. Thankfully, our house is safe, but the fires have really shaken things up. Many friends lost their homes, and I can’t help but think about moving for the sake of my kids.

Every day, I get texts asking if I’m okay. Sure, I’m fine in a physical sense, but emotionally, it’s a different story. I moved here to chase my dreams as a writer, and we settled in Burbank for a sense of security. The schools are great, and we love our neighborhood. I thought we found our forever home.

But the recent fires have changed everything. Last week, we had to pack essentials and drive away as ash fell from the sky. We could see the flames creeping closer, and it was terrifying. I know many families are feeling the same way, trying to keep things normal for their kids while dealing with this chaos.

I don’t want to live in fear every year, wondering if the fires will come for us next. What if our home, the one we worked so hard for, goes up in flames? Or worse, what if we can’t escape in time?

Los Angeles is where I started my writing career, and my husband works in TV here. Our lives are deeply rooted in this city. I’ve joked with him about moving, and while I’ve looked at places in North Carolina, it’s not that simple. How would we make a living there?

I love LA. My kids enjoy the beach and our pool. As I made my daughter’s bed today, I felt grateful for what we have, but I also worry about what could happen next time. Will we be as lucky again?