The Palisades and Eaton Fires started on January 7, 2025. Over the next few weeks, other blazes broke out all over Los Angeles County. They were fully contained as we went to press, and people in the affected areas were beginning to reckon with the devastation: almost 40,000 acres burned, more than 16,000 structures destroyed, at least 29 lives lost, and unfathomable economic damage.
As the Palisades Fire threatened Topanga Canyon, my wife, Lisa, and I, and our cats, BabyGirl and Buddha-Bear, evacuated our home and camped out in my sister’s guest room in Thousand Oaks. In the following days, I witnessed how disasters can give rise to our finest moments. First responders and relief workers seeing the suffering of others and saving lives and homes. World Central Kitchen setting up operations at a Topanga restaurant where firefighters were greeted with a hot meal and a warm handshake; Topangans gathering there to hug neighbors they hadn’t heard from since evacuation.
Catastrophes have moved artists to express insight and inspiration, helping others make sense of tumult and ruin. I’m a professional image maker, and the opportunity to express my grief, heartbreak, and hope by doing what I love is a comfort and an honor.•
This sketchbook appears in Issue 31 of Alta Journal.
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Illustrator, photographer, film director, and teacher Matt Mahurin is the author of three books of fine-art photographs. He has been honored with gold and silver medals by the Society of Illustrators.
