Three years prior, the tranquil suburban area northwest of Denver, Colorado, experienced a destructive event known as the Marshall Fire. This wind-fueled inferno obliterated entire neighborhoods, forcing residents to flee and reshaping their lives permanently. Currently, those who lived through this disaster are offering their invaluable insights to support individuals in Los Angeles dealing with the repercussions of similar wildfire incidents.
For Melanie Glover, who endured the Marshall Fire, the ordeal was terrifying. On December 30, 2021, she found herself caught in traffic as her loved ones desperately sought to flee their blazing residence. Unable to assist, Glover anxiously listened to their distressing situation over the phone, hoping fervently for their safety. Once the initial threat subsided, the emotional scars remained. As time stretched from weeks to months, she faced the daunting task of emotionally and practically reconstructing her life.
Glover’s recovery was not solely due to her own resilience; the encouragement she received from others who had weathered comparable tragedies played a crucial role. Individuals who had gone through the Waldo Canyon Fire, which devastated Colorado Springs a decade before, offered their stories and guidance, fostering a feeling of unity and optimism. Presently, Glover, along with many other Marshall Fire survivors, is giving back by supporting those affected by the recent wildfires in California.
Fostering connections among survivors
Building bridges between survivors
Con más de 1,400 integrantes, el grupo de DiBiase se ha convertido en un salvavidas para las víctimas de incendios forestales. Va más allá de ser solo un lugar para obtener consejos prácticos—es un entorno donde los sobrevivientes pueden relacionarse con personas que realmente comprenden su situación. “Hay algo especialmente reconfortante al hablar con alguien que ha pasado por lo mismo,” comentó DiBiase. “No se trata solo de compartir recursos; se trata de compartir empatía.”
Una de las integrantes del grupo, Anna Ballou, lo descubrió por casualidad mientras buscaba en línea orientación para enfrentar las secuelas de un incendio forestal. Aunque la casa alquilada de Ballou escapó de las llamas, quedó cubierta de hollín, cenizas y productos químicos utilizados en la extinción del fuego. Estaba preocupada por los posibles riesgos para la salud de su familia y la incertidumbre de habitar una vivienda que no les pertenecía.
A través del grupo, Ballou se comunicó con sobrevivientes del Incendio de Marshall que habían enfrentado problemas similares. Sus consejos resultaron invaluables, proporcionándole una guía para tratar con compañías de seguros, empresas de remediación y propietarios. “Gracias a sus experiencias, estamos mucho más informados sobre qué medidas adoptar,” afirmó Ballou.
Transformar el dolor en propósito
For individuals like DiBiase and Glover, assisting others has brought them a sense of purpose following their own traumatic experiences. DiBiase found motivation from another Facebook group founded by Marshall Fire survivor Meryl Suissa. Originally intended as a platform for direct exchanges between donors and survivors, Suissa’s group grew into a comprehensive resource for disaster recovery. Now, Suissa has modified the concept to aid California wildfire victims, offering guidance and gathering resources drawn from insights gained during the Marshall Fire.
Suissa destacó que el apoyo comunitario es fundamental en la recuperación tras un desastre. “La mayor parte del proceso de recuperación proviene de las personas—tus vecinos, negocios locales y organizaciones de base,” comentó. “Son las pequeñas conexiones humanas las que marcan la mayor diferencia.”
Her work goes further than just offering immediate support. Suissa is pushing for the creation of a central hub where disaster survivors can access trustworthy information and assistance. She imagines a system encompassing everything from updates on debris clearance to organizing donations, so survivors don’t have to face the recovery journey by themselves.
Her efforts extend beyond immediate assistance. Suissa is advocating for a centralized hub where disaster survivors can find reliable information and support. She envisions a system that includes everything from debris removal updates to donation coordination, ensuring that survivors don’t have to navigate the recovery process alone.
For Glover, reconstructing her home in Louisville, Colorado, turned into an opportunity to transform her anguish into a constructive endeavor. She decided to utilize fire-resistant and sustainable materials, like Colorado Earth’s EcoBlox, composed of earth and clay. Her aim was to build a residence that was eco-conscious and more resilient against potential future disasters.
“When people hear ‘Earth home,’ they often envision something unusual or quirky,” Glover remarked. “However, I sought to demonstrate that it’s possible to create a stunning, practical dwelling that’s also sustainable and resistant to fires.”
“When people hear ‘Earth home,’ they think of something unconventional or eccentric,” Glover said. “But I wanted to prove that you can build a beautiful, functional home that’s also sustainable and fire-resistant.”
Glover is now working to adapt Earth home designs to meet California-specific building regulations, hoping to inspire others to consider similar approaches. By sharing her story, she aims to raise awareness about alternative building methods that could mitigate the impact of wildfires.
Uno de los temas recurrentes entre los sobrevivientes es la sensación de ser olvidados. Los desastres naturales suelen acaparar los titulares justo después de ocurrir, pero la atención pública pronto se dirige a la siguiente crisis. Sin embargo, para los sobrevivientes, el camino hacia la recuperación es extenso y agotador.
One of the recurring themes among survivors is the feeling of being forgotten. Natural disasters often dominate headlines in the immediate aftermath, but public attention quickly shifts to the next crisis. For survivors, however, the journey to recovery is long and arduous.
This communal spirit has been central to the survivor-to-survivor support networks forming after recent wildfires. Stretching from Colorado to California, these networks demonstrate that, despite facing tremendous loss, individuals can unite to reconstruct communities that are stronger and more resilient.
Mientras Glover sigue compartiendo sus experiencias y promoviendo prácticas de reconstrucción sostenibles, reflexiona sobre una enseñanza que escuchó en una ocasión: “Encuentra tu dolor, y encontrarás tu propósito.” Para ella, ese propósito se ha vuelto evidente—ayudar a otros a enfrentar los desafíos de la recuperación e inspirar esperanza para el futuro.
As Glover continues to share her experiences and advocate for sustainable rebuilding practices, she reflects on a piece of wisdom she once heard: “Find your pain, and you find your purpose.” For her, that purpose has become clear—helping others navigate the challenges of recovery and inspiring hope for the future.
In the aftermath of devastation, these survivors are showing that healing is not just about rebuilding homes; it’s about rebuilding lives, one connection at a time. Through their efforts, they are turning tragedy into an opportunity to create a more supportive and resilient future for wildfire-affected communities.
