July 24th, 2025

Picture header (maybe view shot off their window?)

Roxanne and Jeff are among the many affected by the Palisades Fire that burned through the city and Topanga Canyon. After evacuating they were unlucky to find that on January 9th their house had been looted and then burned. As a couple composed of an architect and interior designer they poured their knowledge into the building of their current home, a process that started in 2000 and was finished in 2003. At the time, they built their dream property to be as fire conscious as they could for the time. Unfortunately, the installation of vinyl windows was easily lit by the fire from earlier this year and allowed the flames to ravage the inside of their carefully designed house. 

Picture break (our shots of the house)

In 1991 Roxanne and Jeff, already having a deep connection to their property, married under a beautiful oak tree below the location of their house. Two years later in 1993 a fire ran through the property and damaged it, but had not killed it. It wasn’t until this fire that the oak tree was lost, making this all the more devastating. As the fire raged in Palisades they saw the column of smoke rising and winds driving it in their direction. They had the unfortunate and frustrating experience watching it grow closer with no firefighter help for their community. They ultimately made the decision to evacuate only to sneak back the next day and try to save their belongings in their outdoor shed. This too would burn and add to their losses. 

Picture break (idk more house shots?) Maybe if we can get somehow the pictures of the house before it burned?Ok slay we can see if andersonian can get that to us and edit it in latez

In the months since they’ve been working to clear and prepare their home for a rebuild. Today, we students were able to lend a hand and be a part of this example of resilience and grit. After the Army Corp of Engineers clears and completes their clean up comes more work. The fire burned through and melted metals, affecting the structure of the beams in the house and melting down water pipes. Our team was afforded the opportunity to dig in and get our hands dirty – literally. Some of us cleared through burned debris around the property, moving stones and fixing up pathways to a garden much loved by its owners. Several of us, including myself, were digging holes to expose electrical, telephone, and water lines so that Jeff could replace melted parts and get things in order again. Our team assisted with taping and prepping beams so that they could treat their soot damaged ceilings. Not alone, our professors got into it and tried to show us youth how to really serve! Together, we all put in the work to bring Roxanne and Jeff a little peace of mine and a lot of saved time.

(Digging pictures)

Going forward they plan to expand on their original build design and make it even more sustainable and fire conscious. After their beams are fixed and new ones installed they plan to rebuild the roof with an overhang that prevents overheating in the summer time. Installing solar panels and the use of hurricane proof double-paned glass with metal clads. Replacing foam insulation with a safer alternative and drywalling the inside of their home will all return and improve upon their sustainable house. 

(drone shots)

Working today for Roxanne and Jeff was a beautiful experience. Their story represents so many of the people victimized by the Palisades fire. To serve in this way and help where it is needed for them is a privilege. This community was impacted heavily as so many of their neighbors’ houses burned with their owners left picking up the pieces. This is a community of residents who have a deep love for the landscape and strong connection to each other. Witnessing this type of disaster collectivism inspires us to continue on. Palisades Strong in unity and through adversity. We environmental science students are grateful to help and make a difference where we can so this day was a perfect one.

Stronger, (idk I’m workshopping the sign off but whatevs)

John Maines

&

Nicole Kouyoumdjian