A year after historic fires scorched Los Angeles, survivors share lessons from the burn zone

Photographs by CCD Fellow Gideon Mendel

The article on National Geographic's website 

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Gideon Mendel at work 

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“We sat together in the ashes. We told stories about the items we missed. We searched through what remained, side by side. There was no rush. No distance. Just presence. In a moment when so much felt erased, you bore witness—with care, with humanity, with respect. Thank you for honoring our grief, our memories, and our community. We won’t forget it.”
— Nicole Ellis

Mike Bishop and Ninah Echeverria, Palisades Fire
 

Sofia Armendariz-Vidal and Miguel Angel Vidal Jr., Altadena

Charmaine Griffin, Altadena

Marcos Durian — Altadena