for a roof over their heads will only exacerbate LA’s chronic housing shortage. “There’s a real fear that California is going to become the playground of the wealthy, because only rich people can afford to live here,” Dawson Beer says. “Everyone else will be pushed out.” Despite these challenges, some residents are determined to stay and rebuild. Rosenbluh, the owner of Fox’s Restaurant, is considering his options. “I have to make a decision whether to rebuild and face the same risk in the future or move on,” he says. “It’s a tough call.” For many, the decision will come down to their love for Los Angeles and their belief that the city can overcome these challenges. “I love LA,” says Dawson Beer. “I love the diversity, I love the weather, I love the culture. I want to stay and fight to make it better.” But for others, the wildfires have been a wake-up call, prompting them to reconsider living in a place where disasters are becoming more frequent and more severe. “I think people are going to move away,” Conlon says. “It’s not worth it any more.” As Los Angeles grapples with the aftermath of the devastating wildfires, the city faces a critical moment in its history. The decisions made in the coming months and years will shape the future of the city and its residents, as they navigate the challenges of climate change and natural disasters.
