LA Writer in Scotland Heartbroken Over Former Home Destroyed by Wildfires
An American writer expresses deep sorrow as wildfires devastate her former home in Los Angeles, affecting friends and memories.
Los Angeles, Scotland, Wildfires, Community, GoFundMe
Los Angeles: An American writer now living in Edinburgh is feeling heartbroken. Jess Ross, 42, is devastated to see her old home in the Pacific Palisades hit hard by wildfires.
She moved to Scotland with her husband, Aaron, and six of their ten kids back in January 2020. They spent 15 to 20 years in Los Angeles. When Jess heard about the fires, she and Aaron immediately thought about what they would grab if they had to leave quickly, after the kids and pets, of course.
They figured passports and family photos would be the first things. But Jess said it was tough to think beyond that. It’s just so heartbreaking to see the place where they made memories, where their kids grew up, all gone. The playgrounds, the trees, the schools—everything wiped out.
Aaron plans to head back to Los Angeles at the end of January to help with relief efforts. The wildfires have destroyed over 10,000 homes and structures since they started. One of Jess’s close friends, Nicole, lost her home too.
Nicole is now in a hotel with her family, trying to figure out how to rebuild their lives. It’s a tough situation for everyone affected.
Jess shared that Nicole didn’t have time to grab much when the fires hit—just her passport and some fruit. When they spoke, 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.
Nicole sent Jess photos of what’s left of her home, and it hit hard. Jess’s 13-year-old kid started crying, realizing they could never go back to how things were.
Despite the devastation, there’s a strong sense of community. Nicole has been volunteering at a shelter, helping others who are also displaced. Jess has even set up a GoFundMe for her friend since they had a tree business that’s now out of business due to the fires.
It’s been heartwarming to see people, even those who don’t know Nicole, step up and donate. Jess thinks that’s a beautiful thing in such a tough time.