Ceiba Phillips, an 11-year-old from Southern California, was heartbroken when he returned to his neighborhood a month after a wildfire destroyed most of it. His best friend’s house, his school, and his favorite diner, Fox’s, were all gone. While his own home survived, the small house where his grandparents lived was reduced to ashes.
Seeing the destruction in person was overwhelming.
“There’s no word for it,” Ceiba said. “It’s sad, heavy, and makes me angry. Why did this have to happen?”
Coping with the Aftermath
The Eaton Fire, which burned through Altadena on January 7, left families struggling to rebuild their lives. Many children, like Ceiba, are learning to deal with the grief of losing their homes and familiar places. Experts say that reestablishing a routine helps kids heal. Staying connected with friends and having open conversations about emotions is also important.
Chiara Angelicola, an early childhood educator, organized a “Kids Town Hall” to help children express their feelings. They took part in art and therapy activities designed to help them process their emotions. Ceiba’s 4-year-old sister, Quoia, attended the event with their mother, Alyson Granaderos.
“A lot of kids had so much to say,” Angelicola said. “Some of it was even hard for the adults to hear, but it’s important to let kids know their feelings won’t hurt them.”
Many therapists and nonprofits have also stepped in, offering free mental health support for fire victims.
The Last Normal Day
Ceiba’s home was one of the few on his street that wasn’t destroyed, but it suffered heavy smoke damage. When the family returned to collect their belongings, they had to wear masks and protective gear.
“I don’t care that my house is still standing,” Ceiba said. “I’d rather have all of Altadena back.”
He remembers every detail of his last normal day.
His school let out early due to strong winds that fueled the fire. He spent the afternoon at his best friend’s house, playing on a trampoline and drawing comics. That evening, his grandmother texted, warning them about a fire nearby.
When Ceiba looked out the window, the mountainside was burning.
“I prayed for my house and my family,” he said. “But my mom told me to get up and pack my things.”
Finding a New Routine
Now living in Pasadena and attending a new school, Ceiba is slowly adjusting. He has taken up playing the saxophone and is working on a project about Michigan, his mother’s home state.
But his conversations with friends have changed.
“We talk about insurance and whose house is still standing,” he said.
Despite the loss, Ceiba remains hopeful.
“I know Altadena,” he said. “We will stick together.”
A Sign of Resilience
Granaderos, Ceiba’s mother, knew her children needed to see their home to fully understand what had happened.
“There is beauty in the world, but also sadness and destruction,” she said.
Quoia was devastated when they drove past the remains of The Bunny Museum, one of her favorite places. Seeing her cry, Ceiba broke down too.
But not everything was lost.
Granaderos named her children after trees—Ceiba, the tree of life, and Quoia after the resilient Sequoia. Years ago, she planted a Sequoia sapling in their backyard.
After the fire, it was still standing.
