as an altadena resident - displaced

Hi everyone,

I’m Amanda, a native Californian and a member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) working in the entertainment industry. I’ve been displaced due to the devastating Altadena fires. Like many in my community, I’m facing the challenges of rebuilding my life while managing daily needs during this period of uncertainty.

I’ll admit, asking for help isn’t something I’m entirely comfortable with, especially knowing that others affected by these fires may have lost even more. While I’m fortunate not to have lost my home, being displaced has brought unexpected challenges and expenses as I work toward regaining stability.

While I am grateful for any support available, FEMA aid is limited and does not cover all the expenses tied to my displacement. This fundraiser helps fill the gaps—like restoring my workspace, covering costs not eligible under FEMA, and ensuring stability beyond temporary aid. 

The support from this campaign will go directly toward helping me recover and regain stability during this challenging time. Any contribution—big or small—means the world to me, and I deeply appreciate your generosity.

Thank you for standing by me and supporting my journey back to stability.

With gratitude,
Amanda

Why I Don’t Use GoFundMe

I've chosen not to use GoFundMe or similar platforms for my fundraising efforts due to concerns about their financial practices and the distribution of funds. GoFundMe charges a transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per donation, which means a portion of each contribution is diverted from its intended purpose. ​

Additionally, GoFundMe encourages donors to leave optional tips to support the platform, which can lead to misunderstandings about the total amount reaching the beneficiary. ​

While GoFundMe has facilitated significant fundraising efforts, I believe that using direct payment methods like Zelle, PayPal (Friends & Family), and Google Wallet ensures that 100% of your generous contributions go directly to supporting my recovery, without any third-party deductions.​

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Zelle: AltadenaAmanda@gmail.com

Google Wallet: AltadenaAmanda@gmail.com

PayPal: @AmandaMNevarez

I've created a Substack!  VoicesFromTheBurnZone.Substack.Com - come follow along as we fight for a safe and equitable return to our homes.

🧡My story from the streets west Altadena🧡

It was Tuesday, January 7, 2025. I woke up after a long night of heavy winds, knowing I had a brief window to run errands. I managed to do laundry and grab lunch at Yum Zaap Thai Kitchen in the Fair Oaks Laundry parking lot. As the wind started picking up around 3 PM, I turned to the owner and said, "I thought I had until 5 PM."

On my way home, I remembered I needed bungee cords for the trash cans and ratchet straps for my car. I stopped at the hardware store on Woodbury but couldn’t find everything. "Oh, I'll go to Altadena Hardware! I love that place! They'll have it!" I picked up the bungees and straps, chatted briefly with the cashier, and left. The bungee cords weren’t as long as I needed, but I improvised, tying all the trash cans together and hooking them to the gate.

My best friend Ari once taught me to give things enough slack to avoid tension, a lesson learned at Burning Man while building a big tent. He told stories about a 10x10 tent flying through the air and almost impaling people. Keeping that in mind, I secured the yard, laying potential projectiles flat or stashing them safely to minimize the risk of debris flying in the wind.

The electricity flickered on and off, but at least the phone service held. I kept my phone charged using power banks, and the dogs stayed cuddled up with me. My conversation with a buddy Raj played out like this:

• 17:34 Me: "How's the breeze over there?"

• 17:38 Him: "It's finally calmed down, but I’m certain it will pick up again."

• 17:39 Me: "It's like 30–35 mph here. Power is out."

• 18:57 Him: "This wind is crazy."

• 19:00 Me: "Absolutely. My friend invited me over, but I’m not driving in this. It's at least 30 mph."

• 19:00 Him: "Yeah. Not safe to drive."

• 20:06 Me: "There's a fire nearby."

• 20:16 Me: "Yeah, I’m packing right now."

• 21:03 Him: "About 5–7 miles away. It's near the Eaton Canyon golf course."

• 21:03 Me: "Big gusts of wind aren’t helpful."

• 21:03 Him: "Looks like 50 mph tonight in Altadena. Still not good."

• 21:58 Me: "I made it to Tujunga. There's electricity here."

During this timeframe, we also talked on the phone. I explained that the winds in the mountains were forecasted to hit 100–120 mph, and those gusts could easily reach my area, threatening to take out the houses.

Before evacuating, I spent about 10 minutes in the driveway, documenting the fire as it grew from nothing to 600 acres in just 15 minutes. I noted how the wind blew left to right while the fire moved right to left. I thought: this could easily hopscotch into a disaster. Trusting my gut, I decided to evacuate.

Despite earlier notifications that electricity would be turned off at 6 PM, my phone still worked before the fires. However, by the time I left, calls barely went through until I got out of the area. Someone told me I was evacuating too early, but I’m so glad I didn’t listen. That night, winds in the city peaked at 99.1 mph—a living nightmare for all of Altadena.

On the Left - Miniature Train club. On the Right - Altadena residences destroyed by the Eaton Fire.

Jan 24, 2025

I want to go camping.  Turns out my friend Widget is selling his Toy Hauler.  I could buy it. Should I buy it?  I don't have a place to live but if I have support, I can fix it up and possibly use it.  Turns out David might have a way to tow it!

So, David comes over and nope, he can't tow it but has me get into the car so he can take me to show me something.  His first place in California.  It's pretty and around the corner from where I'm staying. Nice.  

Off to Altadena we go!  We drive around as David is taking 360 video and we are both trying not too get too emotional.  We stopped off at the World Center Kitchen for lunch and lo' and behold, there are FEMA workers there.  Turns out they needed to update my application to help me move forward.  🤞🏻

As of last night, I booked a stay via FEMA at Mikado in Noho until Feb 13 and then off to Topanga until the 20th via AirBnb credits. 

Jan 27, 2025 - I had a phone call with one of my neighbors who is worried about the Air Quality in Altadena.  We talked on the phone for a while and the conclusion was, considering all of the other things that are trying to kill us, the amount of whatever type of particle that is in the air is not going to be what kills us.  The question at hand was, how do we know exactly what particles are in the air?  Well, the short answer is, we don't.  The test for that is too expensive. 

I made plans to hang out with Shaista.  OMG, I love her food.  We had just enough time to catch up, eat and then we were on our divergent ways.  I got a text about working the following day at 05:30, yay!  Bed time is 21:00.

Jan 28, 2025 - Call time was 05:30 so I had to leave by 04:30. Wow, so cold!  With no cell reception, I found out that I missed a lot of phone calls. They asked if I can work the rest of the week.  Yes, I can.

Jan 29, 2025 - I got a phone call from MPTF about possibly getting a grant.  To qualify I had to have made $50K during my time with the DGA.  So, I entered at the end of 2019, then we had covid, the strikes and now fires.  This is a DGA requirement to receive help for being displaced or losing your home due to the fires.  

Jan 30, 2025 - Oh La La Optometry has offered free exams and glasses to fire victims but today, I had to cancel my appointment so I can work. After work, it's laundry and packing! 

The ride from set to basecamp - the Fire Aid concert is on.  In the van with other crew members, I tell them that me and my neighbors want to know who this concert is benefitting as we weren't told anything.  They all believed that there was a place for us to log into and register to get the funds.  Sadly, that's not the case.

Jan 31, 2025 - Work went pretty well. By the end of the week, I realized I had a lot to learn about how episodic works. Thankfully, I had some great conversations with Yarden, who took the time to share insights, and I also got to meet Tessa Blake.

Work ended early, so I headed to Mikado to check in through FEMA’s hotel program. The process was easy enough.

I moved my things in without inspecting the room first, but unfortunately, the conditions weren’t great. The walls were pulling away, there was rust on the metal fixtures, a dent in the floor, and six bright lights shining inside the TV screen. Not exactly the most comfortable stay.

I called FEMA, and they informed me that I had the option to check out and find another hotel. However, I was told they couldn’t check me out on their end, so I stayed the night. I decided to make the best of it—ordered some LUSH products, took a bath, and had some Tommy’s before packing up again.

That night, I spoke with Tim at Best Western Plus in Sherman Oaks to see if I could move there instead, but he told me I’d have to be there in person to check in.

Feb 1, 2025 - I packed out and hurt my shoulder, that was fun. The coffee was horrendous, not matter which way you put it.  However, so was the orange juice.  They had some bars I could munch on but I left as soon as I was able to get the valet cart and load the rest of my things into the car. Check in for Best Western isn't until 15:00 so I had time to kill and went to Philz for coffee.  I wasn't sure where else to go so i went to the Best Western.  Now, I researched and found that this place had a pool, gym, hot tub, parking and a couple of other things aside from being right next to a Dennys. 

Magic Castle Hotel is on the list with rooms that have kitchenettes.  So, I called, got sent to voicemail and then called again.  I spoke with the manager, he would be able to get me in the following day.  Then, as I'm considering he says, FEMA doesn't cover the cost of the whole room so you would have to pay the rest. Nope.

A Facebook post - It is not lost on me that my neighbors are still wondering how the Live Aid concert actually helps them rebuild.  Especially, since they were asked to pay for the tickets to a concert that was supposed to benefit us.

At check-in - the Mikado didn't fully check me out so I spent about 30 minutes + calling over and over again until finally someone answered.  When I told the person that I needed to get checked out via FEMA they said ok, they will do it and then hung up on me.  Fun.  

Best Western is now clear to check me in.  The guy starts processing me and then tells me I need to give a credit card for a security deposit and parking.  

FEMA specifically says that we should not give anyone credit cards because they are covering the rooms. So, no.  No, I will not be giving you my credit card.

Finally, there is a hotel available in Pasadena.  Sadly, not with a kitchenette but it's finally somewhere closer to home.  I headed over and got to the lobby at 14:30 to find out that they don't check in until 17:00.  So, I waited.  I have no where else to be.  Found a couple of evacuees.  One was still processing what had happened.  He literally took video of the embers as they were reaching his neighborhood to consume the houses.  He was upset, rightfully so. He was also under the odd impression that water pressure for the fire hoses comes from gravity and not by pumps.  He was a mechanic...?  Sadly, he lost his job along with his house. As I am getting checked-in, the system breaks because of course it does.  It's me, after all. After 30 minutes or so, the system comes back up.  I go look at the room and request they move me to another as there is a lot of damage in the first room which gives me anxiety.  I have the room I requested and it's not so bad.  I was excited because when I read about this place, they had all of the things- pool, hot tub, and fitness center. Well, they do have those things but sadly, the pool and hot tub area are not accessible, there is no breakfast and no coffee here.  I'm tired of trying to find just a decent place so I'll stay here.  

Found a roach! Flushed that sucked down the toilet and ordered some Home Defense and sprayed everywhere.

Feb 2, 2025 - I was gifted a sleeping bag, cot and pad. I visited Homage to grab a couple of stretchy pants and a couple of warm sweaters. Stopped at the Mignon Chocolate which I've always wanted to visit but it was always closed.  I received a free sample and have to say, OMG yum!  If you get a change to pop in, but some (mignonchocolate.com). Then the next store was all handmade things, I wish I could remember the name right now but everything in there was amazing! The lady who owns the shop and I talked about our evac stories.  Everyone's evac story is different, for sure.  She got her cat out safely. Onto the vintage clothing place where there were a couple of things to pick up.  

Got the message that I wasn't going to be able to go to the event happening at the YMCA in La Canada - I hadn't realized that you had to rsvp for it, so there's that.

Off to Best Buy!  It's my favorite window shopping location.  As I was leaving, I found that one of my hiking buds from Hyper-Loca was throwing a bbq!  A nice time for the nieghbors to gather.  Cecilia had a tree in her backyard burn down and her neighbor's gazebo as well. On my way home, I stopped and gave the National Guard some ice cream.  They were adorbs!

I met a lady who lost everything, is currently sleeping in the shelter, and her insurance has not done anything for her.  FEMA hasn't even given her guidance on how to get temporary living assistance.

I met another lady who has 3 children, the youngest has special needs, they have lost everything and are currently homeless.  Like many fire survivors, she is still waiting on insurance support. 

Many families are struggling without clear timelines for assistance, leaving them in limbo. 

❗Quick Note on DGA❗

I entered the DGA at the end of 2019 under the Low Budget tier. Since then, the industry has faced significant disruptions due to COVID and the strikes. Over this period, my total earnings have been approximately $25K—an average of $5K per year—with no residuals due to Low Budget productions and distribution on AVOD/SVOD platforms.

When I applied to MPTF for assistance, I was informed that the DGA’s qualification threshold for support is $50K in earnings, which I have not met.

Zelle: AltadenaAmanda@gmail.com

Google Wallet: AltadenaAmanda@gmail.com

PayPal: @AmandaMNevarez

Taking Action!

January & February - I have been involved in several platforms to help rebuild and protect our neighbors in Altadena.  All in different stages of work.  We formed a circle of therapists that has stalled, sort of.  I started working with Altagether.org for their Mental Health portion but found that it wasn't the right fit.  I'm now going to be working with a new group and more information will come about that. 

Heartbreak

Feb 6, 2025 - I drove up to the Meadows today, I didn't want to take the freeway so I took Sierra Madre to Altadena. As I drove down Altadena, further than I had been, I started to get shocked.  There was a whole missing block.  Altadena became blocked and then I had to turn up towards the mountain.  Block by block of devastation and missing homes. I pulled over, I started crying, and sent a text message to my friend David.

13:33 Me: We totally should have gone all the way down Altadena.

Him: Why? Is there something I should have seen that we didn't?

Me: I can't even.  I'm heading to someone's house and I just had to pull over.

Him: I'm sorry, I don't know what this means.

Me: There's just blocks of housing gone. Where we went there were still houses and maybe I'm just seeing in a different perspective. I'm literally in a neighborhood that is completely missing.  I'm just feeling it right now.

I sent him a photo of what I saw.

I got to The Meadows, sat and had coffee and great conversation before leaving.  The sounds of the woodpeckers in the trees and seeing them gathered was such a sight! This neighborhood wasn't quite in the path of destruction nor the smoke filled winds.

As I descended, I stopped harder than I had expected to have to, for a deer to pass by.  That's a first for me, especially during the day.  Heading down Lincoln and more devastation.  

I came back to the hotel exhausted.

EATON FIRE TOWN HALLS W/ ERIN BROCKOVICH – February 7, 2025 Town Hall 

I hadn't planned on going anywhere tonight but then I got a text message reminding me of this town hall. 

17:05 Me: Are we Eaton Fire Residents United?

17:07 Jane: Yes

So, off I went to get ready.  The meeting starts at 18:30 so I have to be there no later than 18:00.  Hair done, black shirt, black fur vest, black chucks, I'm good to go!  Of course, this is not my first rodeo so I stopped off to get a notebook for my notes.  Everyone was friendly.  I met Chanel and Lilit (I think) at check-in, went straight into the auditorium, and picked a chair in front of two people, Christian and Shannon (?), who quickly found out how ADHD I get.  Christian was a wealth of knowledge and insight.

Notes from Christian:

1. If they ask if you are going to rebuild, say yes.  Otherwise, you'll probably not get everything you are owed.

2. Take your time deciding on a team to represent you and make sure they are the right team for you.

I'm sure there's more but it's 0200 right now and I can't remember.

🎤 Who Spoke? 

Mikal Webb, Erin Brockovich, and Doug Boxer

They offered their condolences and were very gracious. But down to the nitty gritty.

Key Takeaways:

Mortgages can be delayed up to 1 year under AB1054.

If you lost your home, always say you plan to rebuild—otherwise, insurance will only pay 10 cents on the dollar.

You have 2 years to file a claim related to the Eaton Fire.

March 31, 2025 is the deadline to opt into Phase 2 (government-funded debris removal).

Cause & Liability of the Fire

Fire Started at Tower #3 (Goodrich/Gould)

Decommissioned in the 1970s but never removed.

SCE was required by law to mitigate abandoned lines (CPUC Order 5 31.6) but failed.

What Went Wrong?

First electrical flash at 18:10:59, second at 18:11:02.

Las Vegas & other sources detected a power spike at those times.

Tower #3 had 3 conductors, but one was only secured by 1 screw instead of 4.

Arcing overheated the metal—discoloration was fresh.

West Mesa Sylmar tower had even worse damage.

Neither were properly grounded.

How Did the Fire Start?

30–40+ mph winds.

Electricity jumped from another tower to Tower #3 (electromagnetic induction).

Grounding wires were frayed and lying in dry brush.

Two towers involved: M6T1 & M24T3.

Legal Accountability

SCE had a legal duty to remove the tower and failed.

California’s "Inverse Condemnation" law = strict liability. (Marshall v. DWP case cited.)

SCE negligence: Failed to maintain proper connections & grounding.

This is a mass **tort**, NOT a class action.

Legal & Insurance Considerations

Opt into Phase 2 (Government Cleanup) by March 31, 2025 to avoid private cleanup costs.

Insurance must pay 30% upfront before requiring an itemized loss list.

Additional Living Expenses (ALE) Coverage:

Initial 4 months

Can extend up to 24–36 months.

Thoughts

LAFireJustice is hiring and training Altadena residents to assist with recovery efforts.

Office secured for 5 years:

📍 221 E Walnut St, Ste 100, Pasadena, CA 91101

If you lost your home, always say you plan to rebuild. Otherwise, insurance may underpay you.

Vet your legal team carefully. Take your time before signing anything.

For more info: www.LAFireJustice.com

**A tort is when someone causes harm to another person, and the injured person can sue them for damages. It’s not a crime, but it’s a way to hold people or companies responsible when their actions cause injury, property damage, or financial loss.**

Final Thoughts

I'm so angry.  SCE is always the cause of something and the continually get away with it. As of today, they are still putting up new poles and powerlines in Altadena. 

I'm so angry because the Eaton Fire has been preventable since the 70s.  100% preventable.

I'm so angry because they paid out $3 million to their shareholders over the past 5 years instead of paying to mitigate their towers.

I'm so angry because, as I sit here in a hotel room that is ending on the 13th before I move to an Airbnb until the 20th, I have no idea where I'm going after that.

I'm so angry because there are blocks and blocks of streets destroyed and SCE once again proves their greed.

I'm angry.

I kept tearing up as they showed the breakdown of how the fire started, where it began and how many people witnessed it. 

At what point will we, The American People, learn that if we unite and put an end to these types of things, we will win?  I'm fighting the same battle that I have been for years.  And I'm angry.

Welcome to this new chapter - Eaton Fire Residents United!