A Community United: The Calvos’ Journey Through Fire, Loss, and Rebuilding

ALTADENA, Calif. — The foothills of Altadena have always been a haven for artists, nature lovers, and those seeking a slower, more creative life. For Janet and Rafael Calvo, their home of 22 years was a sanctuary—a place filled with stained glass windows that cast brilliant colors across the floor, the sound of neighborhood roosters greeting the morning, and the warm, steady presence of longtime neighbors.

Then, the wildfire came.

It was a day of fierce winds. Janet remembers the house shuddering as gusts whipped through the canyons. Rafael was working in Pacific Palisades when the Palisades Fire started. As he left the area, he saw the smoke in his rearview mirror. That night, as fire trucks rushed up the street and an orange glow crept closer from the east, they knew they had to act.

"We talked through what we would do if it came to this," Rafael said. "If we had five minutes, what would we take? If we had 20? We had a plan, but you’re never really ready."

They packed the essentials: a portable fireproof safe with important documents, three days’ worth of clothes, irreplaceable paintings passed down through generations, and their dog, Parker. Rafael grabbed his laptop computer but forgot the power cord—something he would regret in the days to come as they scrambled to stay connected in a world suddenly without home or office.

At 6:23 p.m., the Eaton Fire sparked. Within hours, it was at their doorstep.

"When we turned and saw the flames cresting over the ridge, we knew," Janet said. "We weren’t waiting for an evacuation order. We just left."

The Aftermath: A House Reduced to Ash

The next day, a former employee—now a volunteer firefighter—called them.

"I’m sorry," he said. "Your house is gone."

Rafael returned alone, walking the last mile past police barricades and heavy smoke. What he found was devastation. The house was rubble. The garage still smoldered. A massive pine tree had fallen—right into what was once their bedroom.

"We always worried that tree might come down in a storm," he said. "Had it fallen while we were sleeping, we wouldn’t be here."

As he turned to leave, something caught his eye. On the sidewalk, crisp and untouched by the flames, was a $20 bill.

"In 1964, when my family first arrived in the U.S., my mother found a $20 bill on the ground as she walked to the corner market that first morning and thought, ‘Wow, money just lays around here,’" he said, tearing up. "That story stuck with us. Finding that bill—it was like she was telling me, ‘You’re going to be okay.’"

Rebuilding, Together

Returning and getting assistance at the Altadena Disaster Recovery Center was overwhelming but essential. The Calvos found relief through a network of agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which has been leading debris removal efforts in the area at no out-of-pocket cost to homeowners.

"Every single person we worked with was knowledgeable, thorough, and compassionate," Janet said. "I’d tell anyone going through this—sit down with someone in person. They’ll walk you through every step."

At first, they thought the process might take months, but within weeks, crews were on-site clearing the wreckage.

"The orchestration has been really remarkable," Rafael added. "We thought this might take much longer, but USACE has moved quickly and efficiently. If you're still on the fence, sign up by the April 15th deadline—there’s no cost, and it’s a huge step toward rebuilding."

The couple had an advantage: their business, a glazing company, connected them with architects and contractors. They quickly set plans in motion to rebuild—not just their home but their livelihood.

"We lost everything, but we weren’t alone," Rafael said. "A colleague who also lost her house called me in tears. She said, ‘I lost my home, but I have a job to go to. You lost your home and your business. I want to help you.’ That’s the kind of kindness that has carried us through."

Their neighbors have rallied, sharing resources, forming group chats, and checking in on one another. Even strangers have stepped forward. One day, they received a letter from a man in Fresno who had tracked them down.

"He grew up in our house in the 1960s," Janet said. "He sent a small donation, told us we were welcome to stay with him, and even shared an old photo of himself as a boy with his dog, standing in front of the same tree that just burned. It was incredible."

Looking Forward

With the debris cleared and architectural plans nearly finalized, the Calvos are eager to break ground.

"This fire has connected us—not just with each other, but with the history of this place," Janet said. "We’re not leaving. We’re rebuilding."

Their message to the community is simple: preserve what makes Altadena special.

"Bring back the roosters. Ride your horses to the corner market. Keep the character of this place alive," Rafael said. "We’ve lost so much, but we’re holding onto that."

And for those still hesitant about taking the next steps, Janet and Rafael encourage them to utilize every available resource, including the free debris removal program through USACE.

"If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you don’t have to do this alone," Rafael said. "The support is there. Trust the process, trust the people helping, and know that brighter days are ahead."

Their home is gone, but their story isn’t over. It’s just beginning again—this time, with even stronger roots. Watch the video story below!