Pacific Palisades and Malibu, known for their luxurious homes and celebrity residents, face the harsh realities of wildfires. The Westwood Recreation Center has become an evacuation site for those fleeing the flames, offering shelter and support. Among the evacuees is Roya, who mourns the loss of her home and cherished belongings. Others, like Chris Parry, maintain a positive outlook despite their circumstances. Interestingly, some evacuees are there out of precaution rather than necessity, highlighting the varied experiences of those affected.
Luxury Meets Hardship in Pacific Palisades and Malibu
The upscale neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades and Malibu rank among the priciest in Los Angeles County, attracting celebrities like Anthony Hopkins, Taylor Swift, and Neil Young who call these luxury villas home. However, the devastation caused by wildfires in the Northwest has impacted more than just the affluent; a visit to the Westwood evacuation center reveals the broader consequences of these disasters.
A Look Inside the Westwood Evacuation Center
Typically, the Westwood Recreation Center is a hub for sports and community events, but since Tuesday evening, it has transformed into a refuge for hundreds who have fled from encroaching flames. This center is one of approximately a dozen evacuation sites throughout the city.
Outside the facility, pallets of bottled water are stacked high, and a local pizza service is generously providing meals to those in need. Inside, a television broadcasts news updates while the Red Cross sets up cots and distributes clothing donated by compassionate locals—showcasing the incredible spirit of community support during crises.
In the parking lot, trailers are parked and residents, clad in casual attire, congregate, illustrating the urgency of their evacuation. Roya, a 57-year-old woman who escaped from Malibu with her family, stands out with her soot-stained hoodie and jeans, her weary expression revealing the emotional toll of their loss.
“I can’t stop thinking about how I should have saved the photo albums. I can’t forgive myself for that,” she shares, her gaze distant and pained.
Originally from Iran, Roya has spent decades building her life in Malibu, investing in properties and running a real estate business with her husband. Their home was not just a residence but a cornerstone of their retirement plan, now reduced to ashes. A firefighter tenant sent them heartbreaking images of their houses engulfed in flames. “Every time I close my eyes, I remember everything I’ve lost,” she laments, feeling the weight of starting over at their age.
In their hurried escape, they managed to save only their three cars and their beloved goat, which their daughter Rezvon, 24, is now tending to. A trained jewelry designer, Rezvon has lost her entire collection to the fire.
Meanwhile, Roya’s husband is engaged in calls with insurance companies and FEMA, grappling with the potential loss of their life savings tied to their real estate investments. After experiencing the devastating fire in 2018, their insurance coverage was canceled, leaving them with minimal options. “We never imagined all our houses would burn down at once,” Roya reflects sadly.
In another corner of the evacuation center, Chris Parry has received new shoes and a pillow but plans to sleep in his car with his dog for comfort. Parry, who lived in Pacific Palisades at his aunt’s guesthouse, embraces a nomadic lifestyle. “I live day by day,” he chuckles, maintaining a positive outlook despite his circumstances. “It could be worse; look at those who have lost their lives. All I need is my dog.”
Interestingly, not everyone at the center is there out of necessity. A woman with long blonde hair, who lives in Santa Monica, recounts her precautionary evacuation with her mother and son, the smoke causing panic. While she appreciates the support and kindness of volunteers, she admits, “For us, this is mainly an adventure,” enjoying the respite from her usual responsibilities.