As evacuation orders are lifted, people in Los Angeles are returning to their homes--if their homes survived. But the disaster doesn't end when the fire stops.
A single block and a half separates the Altadena home of Jennifer and Ed Barguiarena from complete destruction. Just down the street lies charred, flattened debris.
But for families like the Barguiarenas — the seemingly lucky ones, whose houses survived — an altogether different ordeal is just beginning.
The water still isn't safe to drink, cook or wash with. There are fine layers of ash and dust in people's homes and yards. And families like the Barguiarenas are also worried about what they can't see – the possibility that toxins like lead and asbestos might have drifted into their homes.
For sponsor-free episodes of
Consider This, sign up for C
onsider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at
plus.npr.orgEmail us at
considerthis@npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices:
podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
