21st Birthday Celebration turns into Lifesaving Escape from California Wildfires

Homes ablaze during the Easton Wildfire in Altadena, California. (Courtesy of Josh Edelson AFP via Getty Images)

On Jan. 7, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association, the Eaton Wildfire–the fifth deadliest and second most destructive wildfire in California history–swept through Pasadena and Altadena, leaving many families unhoused.

The power supply of Southern California Edison Company (SoCal Edison) caught fire at the top of Mount Wilson, affecting electrical transmission lines. Winds of 70 to 80 mph began to spread the fire, pushing towards homes. Many lawsuits, including two filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, blamed high-power transmission lines for starting the flames. SoCal Edison acknowledged that its transmission equipment could have been involved with the start of a fire that began after 6 p.m. on Jan. 7, when sparks were spotted near high power lines in Eaton Canyon. 

California resident Aiden Chisum took a trip with his friends to Lake Arrowhead with the hopes of celebrating his 21st birthday. His celebration turned into a lifesaving escape. Chisum turned on the TV and saw that fires were close to their home and were spreading rapidly. Everyone at the party hovered around the TV. That night at 3 a.m. on his parents’ street, they were told to evacuate due to the fire being “out of control.” 

Chisum only had power because he was in the mountains for his celebration, but he realized that residents didn’t fully understand the severity of the fire. He said some residents were surrounded by the fire, sitting in strong winds, waiting for assistance. 

“In Altadena, the power was out, the cell towers were too,” Chisum said. “No service, no power, all you see is smoke when you go outside, you can’t breathe.”

Chisum lived two blocks from Altadena in Pasadena. He knew the fire was hitting two blocks away and was close to his home. He immediately let his family know. 

He realized a large slice of his past would never be the same. 

“A piece of Altadena and Pasadena is gone at the end of the day,” Chisum said. 

Lower-income areas from Jane’s Village to Charles White Park were most affected. Chisum said that minority neighborhoods in Altadena were severely affected, forcing residents to flee their homes. 

Chisum said some friends were fighting the fire alongside firefighters in their neighborhoods. Still, as soon as they got a call from wealthier neighborhoods, firefighters told Chisum’s friends to handle the fire in their neighborhood themselves. They ended up having to fight the fire alone, although trained professional firefighters were available for wealthy residents.

Chisum’s friend later went to check on his family, who were evacuating, but didn’t realize how bad it truly was.  

“My friend’s grandma’s house was one of two houses still standing. Her whole neighborhood was gone,” Chisum said. 

The wildfires continued to burn through communities, with many residents going without help. Chisum discussed his childhood friend, who lost his home while sheltering on a mountain.

“His dad was on dialysis for 10 years, and put hundreds of dollars into his house and it burnt to the ground,” Chisum said. 

Chisum’s childhood friend never got his house back, leaving his home behind, like many people in the area. After leaving Mount Wilson, Chisum returned to the city, desperate to help the community. Even though he was asthmatic, Chisum spent hours helping clean up the community. 

“We spent three to four hours cleaning up ashes,” Chisum said.”If you think about all the stuff that you’re breathing, pipes, TVs and everything, it’s terrible for you.”

True Food Kitchen, where Chisum is a chef, made packages for families and sent them out. His restaurant also gave away free meals to families whose homes were burned down. 

“We helped make 500 wraps, sandwiches and helped feed all the first responders for 8 hours, making sure they were taken care of,” Chisum said.

Chisum said the Eaton fire affected around 30 people he went to school with. Although Chisum may not have lost his home, many of his closest friends lost everything in the fire.

“A couple of friends lost their homes. I brought them food a couple of times to do anything I could,” Chisum said.

Chisum said the reality of the situation made him realize the broader picture. 

“What really sucks is that my house was the only house that didn’t burn down, but now you don’t have a community,” Chisum said. 

Nine months later, many of Chisum’s friends are still unhoused, forcing them to stay with other relatives for support.