One year after the Eaton Fire tore through Altadena, residents gathered Wednesday for an emotional vigil to mourn the lives lost but also to move forward toward a hopeful future.

Whether a family is able to get back home or is displaced permanently comes down to one thing," said Joy Chen. That's money. Here's what others said.

NBC Los Angeles has followed the three families to see what their rebuilding journey has produced during a 12-month period. Ted Koerner’s home on East Loma Alta Drive was the first to get a certificate of occupancy in December 2025, allowing him to move into this fully rebuilt home in the Eaton Fire zone,

Avery Colvert's viral ask on social media last year led to a million donations, a nonprofit and a community hub to help teens plan for their futures beyond the shadow of the wildfire.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said real progress has been made over the past year, due to the strength of survivors pushing systems and refusing to accept the status quo.

Fires claimed 31 lives and thousands of structures as Los Angeles tried to regain its footing after the pandemic.

When the Eaton Fire tore through Altadena in the early morning hours of Jan. 8, three men from the Lievense family jumped into action.

A year after the Eaton fire destroyed the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, members, supporters and neighbors gathered for a memorial celebration.

In the first three weeks after the Eaton Fire erupted, Pasadena Humane took in about 1,000 animals that were injured, displaced and separated from their families. Patients of all shapes, sizes and scales were welcome.

When asked to help evacuate hundreds of elderly patients at nursing homes when the wildfire broke out, the drivers did not hesitate to jump into action.

On Wednesday, Jan. 7, a year after the blaze displaced her from her home, she stepped onto the John Muir High School campus 30 miles away from her temporary residence for an Eaton Fire anniversary event with the community she plans to eventually return to.

Arnold Williams Sr.'s home was destroyed by the Eaton fire last January, but he passed away this past summer before he got to rebuild his home.