As I pen these words, I’m witnessing smoke rising from Altadena, just a mile away. It’s heartbreaking to hear from three friends who have already lost their homes. Meanwhile, I’m trying to reach out to my neighbor because a tree in her yard seems ready to tip onto my house, but she’s not around.
Southern California is currently grappling with what could be the most expensive wildfires in its history. We’ve suffered significant losses, and the road to recovery will be long and challenging. But given the evolving climate crisis, this title of “most expensive fire” is unlikely to remain for long. It’s essential that we boost our resilience for this new reality.
Resilience refers to our ability to rebound after a disaster. Research shows that the key ingredient for a resilient community is “social capital,” which is essentially the value we get from having positive relationships. Most of us know this simply as “relationships.” How involved are you with others in your business network, your children’s schools, or your faith-based groups? How robust are your family ties? These connections weave the fabric of a community and are pivotal for our rebuilding efforts.
Right now, before recovery can even be considered, we’re all wrestling with fear and grief. Our initial reaction to fear is often to find ways to mitigate risks. Should I evacuate? Should I stay and defend my home? If my house is gone, where do I turn? Even if I’m not in the evacuation zone, how can I protect my family from hazardous air? Fear often breeds a sense of helplessness, especially if we’re grieving. This can lead to inaction, escalating fear, and potentially spiraling into depression.
Our social connections serve a dual purpose—they motivate us and provide us with a sense of purpose, even during difficult times. Although we’re programmed to steer clear of risks, we’re more inclined to tackle them when we’re in service to others. Helping others shifts our focus away from our personal fears and losses and instills a sense of pride in community service.
There’s something you can do right now. It might be as straightforward as sending a message to a friend to let them know you’re thinking of them. Provide a temporary home, volunteer at evacuation centers, assist at animal shelters, or donate to food banks or social services. These acts of kindness make the overwhelming experience more bearable.
As natural disasters become more frequent and severe, building resilience is more vital than ever. We need to accept that the “unthinkable” must be considered. Climate-driven extreme events—like winds, storms, and droughts—are increasingly common. Our ecosystems evolved under a different climate, and wildfires play a role in their adjustment process.
Furthermore, as disasters grow in frequency, society’s ways of managing and mitigating risks must evolve. Insurance, our primary risk management tool, may no longer suffice as risks escalate. Alternatives need exploring, such as a comprehensive national hazard insurance program, akin to how the California Earthquake Authority has tackled the state’s earthquake insurance challenges.
Significant disasters, like the fires of this week, shake us profoundly yet offer a chance for rebuilding stronger. In our responses, we must fortify the bonds within our community. The past decade of California wildfires saw successful recoveries through the early establishment of community collaboratives, which united entities like local chambers of commerce, churches, and neighborhood associations. For instance, the North Valley Community Foundation in Chico effectively distributed aid after major fires, fostering cooperation rather than competition among organizations.
Building resilience and social capital begins with a simple conversation. Reach out to a neighbor, engage with someone new you meet at your child’s school, your place of worship, or even a local café.
For many in Southern California, these 2025 fires aren’t the main reason to cultivate resilience. Other extreme weather events loom ahead, and inevitably, an earthquake will impact us all. Those who are interconnected with others will see faster recoveries and find reasons to thrive once more.
Lucy Jones is the founder of the Dr. Lucy Jones Center for Science and Society and the author of “The Big Ones: How Natural Disasters Have Shaped Us (and What We Can Do About Them).”
