We awoke at 4:30am when our neighbor texted, "We're leaving." No warnings or notices, either electronic or otherwise, west of Lake Ave where we live. As we quickly gathered a few belongings, our dogs (and dog food), laptops, and important work-related items, we left. We thought it'd be for a few days. We found a place to land about 1 1/2 hours drive from home. We were really surprised when a news crew was doing a live shot in front of our home. We thought we survived. Looks can be deceiving.

What we found when we returned 12 days later really shocked us. The flames burned holes through the wall, windows were blown out from the heat. The hot water heater, gas meter, and air conditioning unit all melted and destroyed. The smoke and ash damage was beyond belief. Smoke and ash billowed in from the broken windows. Yes, the home survived, but everything in it was covered in toxic ash and smoke and beyond saving.

We love our community. My wife works at nearby JPL and I photograph historic places for historic preservation purposes.

As someone who works a a photographer for historic preservation purposes, I came to realize that almost all of Altadena should be a historic district. I know we can never put back what was there but how great would have it been if there a comprehensive study of the historic fabric of our hometown.

We are now in the process of setting up a new home while ours is being restored. We will need to buy furniture so we can work from home, kitchen things and a few cloths.

We want to return and rebuild our life together.

The money will be used to provide immediate short term housing supplies until we can return home.