Americans in Edinburgh Heartbroken as LA Fires Devastate Their Home
An American family in Edinburgh feels the pain of wildfires destroying their former Los Angeles neighborhood, leaving them heartbroken and concerned.
Los Angeles, Edinburgh, Wildfires, Community, Displacement
Los Angeles: An American writer in Edinburgh is feeling heartbroken over the wildfires tearing through her old neighborhood in Pacific Palisades. Jess Ross, 42, moved to Scotland with her husband and six kids back in January 2020. They had spent about 15 to 20 years in LA before relocating.
When Jess heard about the fires, she and her family immediately thought about what they would grab if they had to evacuate. “We’d take the kids and pets first, then passports and pictures,” she said. But honestly, it’s tough to even think beyond that. It’s just so devastating to see the place where they made so many memories, like playgrounds and schools, completely gone.
Her husband, Aaron, plans to head back to LA at the end of January to help with relief efforts. The fires have destroyed over 10,000 homes and structures since they started. One of Jess’s close friends, Nicole, lost her home too.
Nicole didn’t have time to grab much—just her passport and some fruit. When Jess spoke to her, there were moments of silence, and Nicole struggled to find the words. She’s usually so lively and caring, but this has left her in shock.
Jess’s 13-year-old daughter cried when she saw photos of Nicole’s destroyed home, realizing they could never go back. Despite the heartbreak, Jess mentioned that there’s still a strong sense of community among those affected.
Jess has even set up a GoFundMe for Nicole, who ran a tree business that’s now out of business since there are no trees left. It’s been heartwarming to see people donate, even those who don’t know Nicole. It really shows the kindness in tough times.