Williams’ family lost four homes in the Eaton fire, which killed 19 people and destroyed about 9,500 buildings. “Immediately people saw dollar signs.”Altadena is known for its thriving Black community that moved there when redlining kept them from buying homes elsewhere. But freeway construction displaced Black residents including the Williams family. Together, the freeway construction and redlining pushed the Williams family closer to the fire-prone San Gabriel mountains. A rose and a black homes matter sign on a lawn Left: A blooming rose surrounded by burned vegetation on a burned lot in West Altadena Right: Black Homes Matter sign in West Altadena.

Source: The Guardian January 18, 2026 12:20 UTC