As Los Angeles is battling the worst wildfires in the city’s history, thousands of people have been displaced or seen their homes burned to the ground.
About 130,000 people were ordered to evacuate, and about 10,000 buildings were destroyed, according to the Associated Press. At least 10 people died as a result of the fire.
The devastation of the fire undoubtedly took a heavy toll on the psyche of those affected, experts agree.
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Fox News Digital spoke with celebrities and mental health experts, who offered the following guidance for those affected.
Recognize your feelings
For those who have experienced loss from firecommon reactions include shock, disbelief and confusion, according to David Kessler, a grief counselor in Los Angeles and founder of Grief.com.
“I call it the grief brain,” he told Fox News Digital.
Luke Dexter reacts as he searches through the remains of his father’s property on the beach that was ravaged by fire after the Palisades Fire on January 10, 2025 in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/John Locher) (AP Newsroom)
“Your mind is trying to understand what happened, and it’s hard for it because it’s unimaginable that your house, your security, suddenly disappears.”
Not all grief is death-related, Kessler noted, as there are many different types of loss.
“I always say sadness is the change you didn’t want – and certainly the fire is the change we didn’t want,” he added.
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It’s important to “self-affirm” the reality of loss, he said.
“People might give you a toxic positivity, ‘well, at least nobody died,'” he said. “And while that’s true, the reality is you still lost your home. Don’t let anyone take that away.”
“Losing a home is devastating and it can take years to recover.”
“I think we’re going to be dealing with a lot of depression, a lot of sadness after this.”
Actor Steve Guttenberg, who lives in Pacific Palisades, California, where Tuesday’s fires broke out, shared how the disaster affected him mental health.
“I’ve seen so much tragedy in the last three or four days that I have to be careful and … keep my mind,” he said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“And I think we’re going to deal with that a lot of depression after this, a lot of sadness. And it’s going to be really hard because this is like nothing you’ve ever seen.”
Actor Steve Guttenberg, who lives in Pacific Palisades, California, where Tuesday’s fires broke out, said how the disaster affected his mental health. (AGUSTIN PAULLIER/AFP via Getty Images; Fox News)
Gutenberg noted that while it’s “very normal” to be down, he tries not to let himself “go down in that hole.”
“But I’m quite sad about this,” he added.
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Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist based in Manhattan and Washington, DC, noted that the grief after the Los Angeles fire is “profound.”
“It’s not just about the physical loss of homes or belongings — it’s about the sense of safety and normalcy that’s been lost,” he told Fox News Digital.
“It’s important that people feel emotions and not ignore them. It’s a normal reaction to such a huge loss and tragedy.”
Contact us for support
Guttenberg stressed the importance of maintaining connections with others and drawing support from the community during a a disaster of this magnitude.
“We are social animals – we need people,” he said. “So I’m reaching out to my friends. There’s no way we can meet right now because it’s so dangerous – so the best thing you can do is … call and reach out and maybe you can take us somewhere.”
Experts agreed that it is important to avoid isolation after a defeat. “We need to be taken care of. We need other people around us.” (AP Newsroom)
Most of the people in the city have evacuated, he pointed out. “There’s probably 10% of the population left here. Or less.”
Kessler reiterated that connection is critical after this type of trauma. “We need to take care of ourselves. We need other people around us. People equal security,” he said.
“We need other people around us. People of equal security.”
Pastor Jesse Bradley of Grace Community Church outside Seattle, Wash., agreed that it’s crucial to avoid isolation after a loss.
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“We need God and we need each other. Community is vital,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Family, friends and neighbors care about you. God is sending his love through these people. Reject isolation. Don’t close yourself off and don’t exclude people.”
Take action
“In times of crisis like this, regaining even a small amount of control can be grounding,” Alpert said.
He recommends making a plan for what comes next, whether it’s finding temporary housing, accessing local resources, or starting the rebuilding process.
“Taking action – no matter how small – can help you move forward.”
Ben Treger hugs his wife Sarah Treger after finding a grandfather clock in the remains of their home in Pacific Palisades on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. “If you have survivor’s guilt, I always say the best thing to do is do something,” one expert advised. (Juan Carlo/Imagn)
Kessler agreed, noting that people who are in the area but didn’t experience the loss might be relieved mixed with guilt.
“If you have survivor’s guilt, I always say it’s best to do something about it,” he advised.
In the long term, advocacy can be a powerful tool in dealing with trauma, Alpert noted.
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“Working to improve fire prevention policies, supporting relief efforts or helping neighbors rebuild can provide a sense of purpose and empowerment during this difficult time,” he said.
Some people may be angry about systems that failed to prevent fires in the first place, Alpert admits, and that anger can be a “powerful motivator.”
“Taking action – no matter how small – can help you move forward.”
“Use that energy to demand better, but don’t get stuck in anger,” he advised.
“By holding leaders accountable for the policies — or lack thereof — that have contributed to this devastation, and by asking the right questions and demanding answers, you might start to feel better.”
If necessary, seek professional help
“The fires in LA will undoubtedly leave not only physical scars, but deep emotional scars as well,” Alpert said.
“For many people, fear, panic and helplessness during a fire don’t just disappear – they stay, creating flashes, anxiety and difficulties in functioning.”
“For many people, the fear, panic and helplessness experienced during a fire don’t just go away – they linger, creating flashbacks, anxiety and difficulty functioning.” (iStock)
In many cases this can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of the condition can include vivid memories of fires, nightmares, hypervigilance or avoiding anything that reminds someone of the event, Alpert said.
“It’s important not to look at it as a weakness, but as a way the mind and body try to cope with extreme stress.”
“Although the fires were devastating, they do not diminish your strength or character.”
While seeking help, it’s also important to realize that PTSD doesn’t define you, he added.
“It’s part of your experience, not your identity. Even though the fires were devastating, they didn’t diminish your strength or character.”
Lean on your faith
For those who have experienced traumatic grief, Kessler emphasized the importance of faith and spirituality.
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“They help ground us in a world full of fear,” he said. “And when we’ve lost everything, it can feel like our faith is the only thing we must hold on to.”
In times of crisis, Guttenberg said it’s important to “rely on everything you believe in.”
Cesar Plaza gets emotional as he looks at his home that was destroyed by the Eaton fire in Altadena, Calif., Jan. 9, 2025. “It’s easy to obsess over what you don’t have anymore,” the pastor told Fox News Digital. (AP Photo/Nic Coury) (AP Newsroom)
“If you believe in your mom and dad, you rely on them, your brothers and sisters, your friends, your family. God, the universe.”
Above all, he added, “Just remember, you’re not alone. God is always with you. Jesus is always with you. You have to hang on to that.”
Find ways to show gratitude
In difficult times, it’s important to recognize the good things that are still in your life, Pastor Bradley said.
“It’s easy to obsess over what you no longer have,” he told Fox News Digital.
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“You have to be intentional about making a list of the blessings in your life. For example, you may lose your home or your job, but you still have a family.”
This mindset will help you maintain a healthy perspective and protect gratitude, Bradley added.
