In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the Suarez-Giles family has faced unimaginable loss due to the recent wildfires in Altadena, California. This tragedy has highlighted not only the personal struggles of families affected by wildfires but also broader issues concerning community safety and disaster preparedness.
Deisy Suarez-Giles, a resilient business owner and mother of two, recounted the harrowing experience as her family returned to their charred property to assess the damage. Despite her family’s profound loss, her two young boys managed to find a few of their toys among the rubble, a small comfort amidst the devastation.
Their history in Altadena began during the tumultuous times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The family moved away from a downtown Los Angeles apartment that was nearly set ablaze during riots and protests. Deisy shared, “We were terrified, especially with our youngest, Lucas, who was just a baby at the time. We knew we had to find a safer place for our family.” Ironically, they found themselves fleeing again, this time from a fire that consumed their new home.
The wildfires ignited swiftly, catching the family off guard. While other residents evacuated, Deisy and her family hesitated, unsure if they needed to leave. It wasn’t until the early hours of the morning that they made the difficult decision to wake their boys and prepare to flee. “Within three hours, our house was gone,” she recalled, fighting back tears. The panic was palpable as her children experienced fear and confusion in the face of the approaching flames.
The emotional toll on her children was evident. Deisy remembered how her son Henry broke down, while Lucas clung to his mother, scared and crying. “It was overwhelming. I had to reassure them as we tried to gather essential items,” she said. The children, caught in the whirlwind of emotions, faced a reality that no child should ever have to endure.
As the fire raged, the family lost not only their home but also precious belongings. Henry expressed his sadness over the destruction of a cherished 3D printer. “A lot of things I loved are gone. Now, everything is broken,” he lamented. His youthful perspective offered a poignant reminder of the childhood dreams that were abruptly extinguished alongside their home.
To add to the chaos, a teacher from Henry’s school, who rented a room from the Suarez-Giles family, was also in the house when the fire struck. Despite warnings from Deisy’s husband, the teacher was caught off guard and only narrowly escaped as flames engulfed the property. This situation emphasizes the dire need for effective communication and preparedness in times of crisis.
As the community begins to assess the damage caused by the recent wildfires—over 35,000 acres burned and multiple lives lost—there is an urgent call for better disaster management and support systems. Residents like Deisy are not just facing the loss of their homes but are accompanying their children through emotional trauma and uncertainty about the future.
Deisy remains hopeful despite the overwhelming challenges ahead. “We will rebuild. It’s what we have to do,” she stated with determination. The community’s resilience and spirit shine through as they come together to support one another in the wake of such heartbreaking loss.
Ultimately, the Suarez-Giles family’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of both the personal and collective responsibility we have to ensure our communities are better prepared for emergencies. As families in California and beyond grapple with the realities of wildfire risks, enhancing safety measures and support can help prevent such tragedies from happening again in the future.
