Three years prior, the tranquil suburban area northwest of Denver, Colorado, experienced a destructive event known as the Marshall Fire. This wind-fueled inferno obliterated entire neighborhoods, forcing residents to flee and reshaping their lives permanently. Currently, those who lived through this disaster are offering their invaluable insights to support individuals in Los Angeles dealing with the repercussions of similar wildfire incidents.
Three years ago, the Marshall Fire devastated a quiet suburban community northwest of Denver, Colorado, leaving destruction in its wake. Entire neighborhoods were reduced to ashes as the wind-driven blaze tore through homes, displacing families and forever altering lives. Today, survivors of that tragedy are using their hard-earned lessons to help others grappling with the aftermath of wildfires in Los Angeles.
For Melanie Glover, a survivor of the Marshall Fire, the experience was harrowing. On the day before New Year’s Eve in 2021, she was stuck in traffic while her family frantically tried to escape their burning home. Helplessly listening to their struggles over the phone, Glover could only pray that they would make it out alive. When the immediate danger passed, the trauma lingered. Weeks turned into months as she grappled with the emotional and logistical challenges of rebuilding her life.
What ultimately helped Glover recover wasn’t just her own resilience but the support she found from others who had endured similar disasters. Survivors of the Waldo Canyon Fire, which ravaged Colorado Springs a decade earlier, shared their experiences and advice, sparking a sense of solidarity and hope. Now, Glover and hundreds of other Marshall Fire survivors are paying it forward by assisting victims of recent wildfires in California.
Building bridges between survivors
Con más de 1,400 integrantes, el grupo de DiBiase se ha convertido en un salvavidas para las víctimas de incendios forestales. Va más allá de ser solo un lugar para obtener consejos prácticos—es un entorno donde los sobrevivientes pueden relacionarse con personas que realmente comprenden su situación. “Hay algo especialmente reconfortante al hablar con alguien que ha pasado por lo mismo,” comentó DiBiase. “No se trata solo de compartir recursos; se trata de compartir empatía.”
Una de las integrantes del grupo, Anna Ballou, lo descubrió por casualidad mientras buscaba en línea orientación para enfrentar las secuelas de un incendio forestal. Aunque la casa alquilada de Ballou escapó de las llamas, quedó cubierta de hollín, cenizas y productos químicos utilizados en la extinción del fuego. Estaba preocupada por los posibles riesgos para la salud de su familia y la incertidumbre de habitar una vivienda que no les pertenecía.
One of the group’s members, Anna Ballou, stumbled across it while searching online for guidance on navigating the aftermath of a wildfire. Although Ballou’s rental home was spared from the flames, it was coated in soot, ash, and chemicals from the firefighting efforts. She worried about the potential health risks for her family and the uncertainty of living in a home they didn’t own.
Transforming adversity into action
For individuals like DiBiase and Glover, assisting others has brought them a sense of purpose following their own traumatic experiences. DiBiase found motivation from another Facebook group founded by Marshall Fire survivor Meryl Suissa. Originally intended as a platform for direct exchanges between donors and survivors, Suissa’s group grew into a comprehensive resource for disaster recovery. Now, Suissa has modified the concept to aid California wildfire victims, offering guidance and gathering resources drawn from insights gained during the Marshall Fire.
For survivors like DiBiase and Glover, helping others has provided a sense of purpose in the wake of their own trauma. DiBiase drew inspiration from another Facebook group created by Marshall Fire survivor Meryl Suissa. Initially designed as a direct donor-to-survivor exchange platform, Suissa’s group evolved into a broader resource for disaster recovery. Now, Suissa has adapted the concept to support California wildfire victims, providing advice and compiling resources based on lessons learned from the Marshall Fire.
Sus esfuerzos van más allá de la ayuda inmediata. Suissa está promoviendo la creación de un centro centralizado donde los sobrevivientes de desastres puedan acceder a información y apoyo confiables. Imagina un sistema que incluya desde actualizaciones sobre la remoción de escombros hasta la coordinación de donaciones, garantizando que los sobrevivientes no tengan que enfrentar el proceso de recuperación por sí solos.
Her efforts extend beyond immediate assistance. Suissa is advocating for a centralized hub where disaster survivors can find reliable information and support. She envisions a system that includes everything from debris removal updates to donation coordination, ensuring that survivors don’t have to navigate the recovery process alone.
For Glover, reconstructing her home in Louisville, Colorado, turned into an opportunity to transform her anguish into a constructive endeavor. She decided to utilize fire-resistant and sustainable materials, like Colorado Earth’s EcoBlox, composed of earth and clay. Her aim was to build a residence that was eco-conscious and more resilient against potential future disasters.
For Glover, rebuilding her home in Louisville, Colorado, became a way to channel her pain into something constructive. She chose to use fire-resistant and sustainable materials, such as Colorado Earth’s EcoBlox, which are made from earth and clay. Her goal was to create a home that was both environmentally friendly and better equipped to withstand future disasters.
Glover is currently focused on modifying Earth home designs to comply with California-specific building codes, with the hope of encouraging others to explore similar strategies. Through sharing her experiences, she seeks to increase awareness about alternative construction methods that might lessen the effects of wildfires.
A community that remembers
A common sentiment among survivors is the experience of being overlooked. While natural disasters capture media attention right after they occur, the public’s focus soon moves on to the next catastrophe. For those affected, though, the path to recovery is lengthy and challenging.
“It’s the community that remembers,” Glover stated. “They are the ones who remain by your side for the duration, providing support and empathy when it’s most needed.”
This communal spirit has been central to the survivor-to-survivor support networks forming after recent wildfires. Stretching from Colorado to California, these networks demonstrate that, despite facing tremendous loss, individuals can unite to reconstruct communities that are stronger and more resilient.
Mientras Glover sigue compartiendo sus experiencias y promoviendo prácticas de reconstrucción sostenibles, reflexiona sobre una enseñanza que escuchó en una ocasión: “Encuentra tu dolor, y encontrarás tu propósito.” Para ella, ese propósito se ha vuelto evidente—ayudar a otros a enfrentar los desafíos de la recuperación e inspirar esperanza para el futuro.
As Glover continues to share her experiences and advocate for sustainable rebuilding practices, she reflects on a piece of wisdom she once heard: “Find your pain, and you find your purpose.” For her, that purpose has become clear—helping others navigate the challenges of recovery and inspiring hope for the future.
In the aftermath of devastation, these survivors are showing that healing is not just about rebuilding homes; it’s about rebuilding lives, one connection at a time. Through their efforts, they are turning tragedy into an opportunity to create a more supportive and resilient future for wildfire-affected communities.