On the night of January 7th, Karen Bagnard found herself in an unsettling situation at her home in Altadena, California. Violent winds had knocked out the power, leaving her with no electricity and only one functioning bathroom. “My daughter called me and said, ‘Mom, do you realize there’s a fire?'” recalled Bagnard, who, at 79, is legally blind. The news was shocking; she hadn’t been aware of any blaze.
At first, the Eaton Fire’s evacuation zone felt distant enough for comfort, so Bagnard thought her home was safe. “I believed it would never reach my house,” she remarked. However, just half an hour later, her daughter Chelsea called again; the fire was advancing rapidly, and their home was now near the evacuation boundary.
When Bagnard’s grandson, Dalton Sargent, returned from work, they decided to leave for safety that night. Despite living in that house for over five decades, Bagnard had never faced a real evacuation. “I assumed we’d evacuate and then come back,” she said, not realizing it would be her last night in that beloved home.
The following day, Bagnard’s daughter and grandson ventured back to inspect the damage before officials closed off the area. What they discovered was heartbreaking—a smoldering mound of destruction. Chelsea described it as mostly rubble, with only a few large appliances like the fridge and stove still identifiable. It wasn’t until January 22nd that Bagnard saw the devastation firsthand. “They set up a chair for me in the driveway, and all I could see was the land,” she said, contemplating potential rebuilding plans.
The fierce Los Angeles-area wildfires scorched thousands of acres, ravaging homes and neighborhoods. According to JP Morgan estimates, insured losses could soar to $50 billion, with numerous residents now displaced. Such disasters hit especially hard for older individuals like Bagnard, who face challenges in relocating and adjusting to difficult conditions. Danielle Arigoni, an expert on urban planning and community resilience, pointed out that by 2034, there will be more people over 65 than under 18 in the U.S. Yet, climate resilience planning often overlooks this demographic.
Joyce Robertson, CEO of the Foundation for Senior Services, highlighted that several senior living facilities had to evacuate, and some even burned down. Her organization is now focused on providing essential supplies like wheelchairs and coordinating with care facilities to address resource gaps. “The stress of evacuating is immense for seniors,” she noted.
For older adults living independently, there’s an elevated risk they might be unable to leave during emergencies, explained Carolyn Ross from Village Movement California. “They often end up stranded in their homes.”
Pasadena Village, part of the Village Movement, saw about 60 members displaced, with 19 completely losing their homes, including Bagnard. Despite the tragedy, Executive Director Katie Brandon saw an inspiring display of community support. As Bagnard searched for a new place, a fellow Pasadena Village member offered her a temporary home, exemplifying the tight-knit support system. The organization is also helping replace lost items like Bagnard’s accessible computer and encouraging affected individuals to maintain social interactions.
Older victims like Bagnard face protracted recovery journeys, compounded by health and financial risks. Joan Casey from the University of Washington noted that while immediate aftermaths see abundant aid, recovery phases often lack sustained support. Many older adults risk falling through the cracks, having health challenges like chronic respiratory conditions worsened by poor air quality and possibly lacking adequate insurance due to paid-off homes.
Scientific studies on older adults in disasters show mixed results, according to Casey. Disasters can affect cognitive functions, yet older adults may exhibit resilience due to life experience. The journey of adjusting to vision loss had already taught Bagnard about enduring change. As a visual artist, she recently showcased her work, using a piece of art to symbolize her path through blindness.
Many of her artworks, including her favorite piece, have been destroyed, but she holds on to hope. While she navigates financial recovery with help from community initiatives and a GoFundMe campaign, glimpses of hope emerge from the ashes—a Danish plate and painted cement stairs survived. Reflecting on the future, Bagnard expressed her wish to see her home rebuilt, letting her family decide its ultimate fate. “Turning 80 soon, I hope to witness its renewal,” she shared.
