One year after losing his home in the devastating Eaton Fire, Altadena photographer Kevin Cooley is using his art to navigate the complex journey of rebuilding. His latest series captures the resilience of both nature and residents in a community determined to rise from the ashes.
Key Takeaways
- Kevin Cooley lost his Altadena home in the Eaton Fire one year ago.
- He uses photography to document the community's rebuilding process and find personal solace.
- Cooley's new series features 'homesteaders' living on their fire-damaged lots.
- The family plans to rebuild a fire-hardened home tailored to their needs, including an art studio.
- Wildfires are a constant consideration for residents in California.
A Return to the Burned Lot
The Eaton Fire left a lasting mark on Altadena, and for Kevin Cooley, it meant the loss of nearly a decade of life built in his El Molino Avenue home. Today, the lot where his house once stood remains empty, a stark reminder of the blaze that swept through a year ago.
"There's no more fire debris. It's all gone," Cooley explained during a recent visit to his property. "It's just all construction... and lots that are for sale." The absence of construction on his own lot highlights the emotional and logistical challenges of starting over.
Eaton Fire Impact
The Eaton Fire, which occurred a year ago, destroyed multiple homes in the Altadena area, including Kevin Cooley's residence.
The Rollercoaster of Rebuilding Decisions
For Cooley and his family, the past year has been a period of intense fluctuation. The decision to rebuild has not been straightforward. "It's been a lot of fluctuation, like a rollercoaster," Cooley described, referring to the uncertainty of their path forward. The idea of relocating to an entirely new area, potentially less costly and simpler, has crossed their minds.
However, the deep connection to Altadena has consistently pulled them back. "It's daunting but also kind of interesting to think about all the possibilities that you could have," he reflected on the blank slate the fire presented.
Finding Purpose Through Photography
As a wildfire photographer by profession, Cooley turned his lens inward after the fire, using his art to process the immense loss. This artistic endeavor has, in turn, strengthened his bond with the Altadena community and its natural landscape.
He recounted his initial impressions of Altadena, describing it as "impossibly far away" yet quickly becoming their entire world. "I walked my kid to school. My wife, Bridget, she would ride her bike to work," he said. "I mean, that's not what you think of as living in Los Angeles, but yet, it's so close in a lot of ways to everything in L.A."
Documenting Resilience: From Plants to People
Since the fire, Cooley has frequented Altadena, often driving through the neighborhood multiple times a week. His journey always begins at his former home on El Molino, a starting point for reflection.
"It seems like a natural starting point and also a place to reflect on coming back, to seeing if it's really a place that I want to rebuild my life again," Cooley stated.
Nature's Comeback
About six months ago, Cooley began photographing the resilient flora emerging from the charred landscape. He captured images of flowers and plants pushing through the ruins and burnt trees sprouting new growth. These images serve as a powerful metaphor for hope and renewal.
A Community United
The Altadena community has shown remarkable unity and resilience in the face of the Eaton Fire. Neighbors have supported each other through the challenges of recovery and the complex process of rebuilding their lives.
The 'Homesteaders' of Altadena
More recently, Cooley shifted his focus to the human element of resilience: the "homesteaders." These are residents who, unable or unwilling to leave Altadena, are living in temporary dwellings on their fire-damaged lots while they await permanent rebuilding.
"They call themselves the 'homesteaders'," Cooley shared, describing his new subjects.
His drives through the neighborhood now include pointing out Airstreams, tiny Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), school bus-sized trailers, and even tents. One notable sight is an RV with a sign reading, "My entire life burned in Altadena and all I got was a stupid sign." This humorous yet poignant message speaks volumes about their determination.
"They're all intending on coming back in a permanent way, but in the meantime, they have many different reasons for being here," Cooley observed. For many, the desire to maintain a connection to Altadena is paramount. "Being elsewhere has been really hard on them," he added. "They want to feel a connection to this place. They want to be back in Altadena."
Art Reflecting Life
Cooley photographs these homesteaders with the same artistic approach he uses for wildflowers and trees. Using strobe lights, he illuminates his subjects against a darkened backdrop at dusk, creating a visual and conceptual link between human and natural resilience.
"Those homesteaders are like the human equivalent of what the plants are doing," he explained. "My idea was to have them match conceptually and visually."
The landscape of Altadena continues to transform. Debris has given way to clear lots, and now wooden frames of new homes are rapidly sprouting across many blocks, all within a year of the fire. These moments of temporary living and natural regrowth are fleeting.
"People are building so fast and some people have already built, finished and have moved in. Photographing people in these temporary conditions is almost, again, a race against time," Cooley noted.
Looking Ahead: A Fire-Hardened Home
The resolve of the homesteaders, their deep longing to be rooted in Altadena, has solidified Cooley's own decision to stay. He and his wife are moving forward with rebuilding their home. They are currently narrowing down their choice to one of two construction companies.
Their new home will be designed to meet their specific family needs, including a dedicated art studio for Cooley, a significant upgrade from his previous garage workspace. Crucially, the new structure will be built with future wildfires in mind.
"Wildfires are a fact of life in California," Cooley has consistently emphasized. "That would mean building the most fire-hardened house possible." This proactive approach reflects a broader understanding among California residents that living with the threat of fire requires continuous adaptation and preparedness.