Dear Edison: You Didn’t Fix What You Broke

Survivors have laid out what real recovery requires: full cleanup, fair compensation and housing until every family is home.

See EFSN's Update on Edison's Final Plan
Read Our Report "Fix What You Broke"
Join the Coalition for Urgent Housing Relief for Eaton Fire Survivors
Group of four people outdoors, two wearing red 'Don't Mess With Fire Survivors' t-shirts, one wearing an Altadena cap

Edison’s Final Compensation Plan is out

It is still woefully inadequate

Here’s our updated report on Edison’s final compensation plan. It gives a clear breakdown of what changed, what didn’t, and what families still need to recover.

See EFSN's Analysis of Edison's Final Plan

The Power of Survivor Leadership

Hundreds of Eaton Fire survivors — homeowners, renters, and small business owners — came together to speak with one voice. We released Fix What You Broke: Survivors’ Recommendations for a Fair and Fully Funded Edison Recovery Program.

And the world listened.

Our press conference and report were covered by CalMatters, ABC7, KCAL/CBS, Fox News, NBC, LAist, Pasadena Star-News, Bloomberg Law, KNX/Audacy, Daily Bulletin, Pasadena Now, and the Associated Press, reaching millions across California.

Edison has confirmed that it is now incorporating insights from our report and press conference into its final compensation program. That happened because we stood together and spoke with the clarity only lived experience can bring.

FOX 11 live news broadcast showing a man surrounded by community members, with the headline 'LIVE: Eaton Fire survivors respond' and breaking news chyron 'Eaton Fire survivors respond to Edison comments
KCAL CBS News Los Angeles broadcast showing EFSN members at a press conference outdoors, with chyron 'Eaton Fire survivors say SoCal Edison's compensation offer is not enough' and captions reading 'Insurance policies are to cover
ABC7 news broadcast showing Zaire speaking outdoors, with chyron 'Firestorm Aftermath: Frustration over SoCal Edison's recovery program. Eaton Fire survivors push for more compensation

See For Yourself

Watch survivors turn heartbreak into action.

We came together not out of anger, but out of love for our community, and a commitment to see Edison deliver full, fair compensation for what was lost.

Together, we’re writing a new chapter in recovery — one where survivors lead, and every family comes home.

Watch the Press Conference →
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Read our Update on the Edison Compensation Plan
Tell Edison: Keep Families Housed
A lone palm tree stands against an orange-tinted sky heavy with wildfire smoke, creating an atmospheric silhouette that captures the environmental impact of the fire.

The Stakes For Our Community

The Eaton Fire was the most toxic urban wildfire in modern U.S. history. It blanketed contaminants across entire neighborhoods, displacing thousands of us.

After California’s five most destructive fires, the Los Angeles Times found that only38% of homes were rebuilt within five years.

When a utility was at fault, when their payments were fair and timely, recovery accelerated.
Where they weren’t, neighborhoods never came back.

Now, our community stands at that same crossroads.
We call for the company to fix what it broke and fully fund recovery.

Dear Edison: These Are Our Stories
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  • “My husband tried to put out spot fires in our yard as flying embers spread. We lost everything when our small apartment building burned down. Since then, we’ve been living in a tiny studio with no kitchen. We cannot move at this point, because of my husband's health, so we're here until February 2026 in hopes that his health improves. He's been hospitalized four times since Jan. 7-8.”

  • “Our whole town was wiped out, our entire lives were upended by the fire, our mental health continues to suffer, we continue to pay out of pocket for fire-related expenses, and we have literally no recourse. Edison caused this fire, and should be liable for all of the damage.”

  • "Lost 95% of everything I owned, and my dog died in a Pasadena hotel room during the evacuation. My health has been compromised as a result of breathing contaminated fire-related air, including a collapsed lung. "

  • “The expense of this ordeal, emotionally and financially, has impacted our family so much that my daughter may have to put college on hold. We may have to walk away from our home of 25 years flushing our equity down the drain because it’s not safe to live in. And finally the impact that it’s had on my mental health and my marriage. I’m not sure my husband and I will see our way through this together.”

  • “My escrow company won’t release funds for our rebuild. We started rebuilding as soon as possible so we don’t have to keep paying a mortgage and a rent. We already lost everything and now it’s so hard to move on with our lives.”

  • “Had to put my own home remediation on hold to help my 80+ year old parents who lost their home.”

  • “Nothing is happening yet with our rebuild. Fighting with mortgage company. Waiting for our remaining 25% personal property loss payment. Insurance adjuster starting to ghost us.“

  • “We had to come back after 7 days because my renter's insurance wouldn't cover any more days. We came back to the fire actively burning, toxic ash all over our neighborhood.”

  • “My dog got sick after being exposed to the toxic ash all over our neighborhood. I saw him sitting in it and there was nothing I could do but try to brush him off. I am heartbroken and suffering from extreme grief. I was supposed to pick up his ashes today, but I couldn’t get out of the house.”

  • “My home in West Altadena was the only home my child has ever known. We are eager to rebuild and move back, but need to remediate the soil and replant natural spaces, not just build a structure. Our insurance isn’t sufficient for any of these needs.”

  • “This SCE-caused fire catastrophe not only took our home and everything we had collected in 30 years of marriage — all our family photos and memories — but it also took away the last precious time I could have had with my husband before he died on July 17. Their negligence destroyed lives, and mine will never be the same.”

  • “The Eaton Fire devastated me both physically and emotionally. My nerves will never be the same. I lost things that money cannot replace. The least Edison can do is, give each of us a respectable compensation package. And, not add insult to our pain and suffering.”

  • “The most significant loss for me, more than my personal property, family heirlooms, my art studio, and my lifetime art archive, is the loss of affordable housing. On paper, my day job looks like I make a decent living. In reality, the current rental rates for anything comparable to what I had, would mean I'd pay more than 50% of my take-home pay just to put a roof over my head. This is untenable financially.”

  • “After 35 years, our home was totally destroyed in the Eaton fire. It's been a steep learning curve to navigate all requirements of a rebuild. So, stress & anxiety are a daily companion. We ask ourselves, "are we doing everything right?" & mostly, "can we affprd the rebuild at today's high cost of construction?"“

  • “We are still displaced renters from Altadena. Landlord never showed up and cleaned, remediated but demanded rent this whole time. I got sued by him couple times but all these cases dismissed by judges for now. 10 months of struggle all because of Edison not taking care of their business as a huge corporation with huge budget but big greed.”

  • “My house is one of 4 on a block that did not burn; I can’t say survived because it is uninhabitable and full of contaminants and toxins. All houses on all sides of me burnt. The insurance has been stalling and not wanting to declare it a total loss. We have to fight for everything. We hope to get enough to cover a rebuild but it hasn’t been easy.”

  • “We bought our home in Altadena and spent over $250,000 improving it, finishing renovations and gardens in December 2024 — it was meant to be our forever home in retirement. The damage and trauma of the past ten months have been immense, and the memories we lost can never truly be replaced.”

  • “I had only lived in my Altadena home for four months before the fire, and because of a bad insurance broker, I’m short at least $500,000 in coverage. I lost everything and am now stuck trying to sell my lot and find a new home, moving from one temporary apartment to another while the reality of what’s gone hits me every day.”

  • “We’re still displaced from our smoke-damaged home nine months after the fire. Our 4- and 9-year-old daughters lost everything to lead contamination, and as State Farm continues to delay, we’re exhausted, grief-stricken, and desperate to get back home.”

  • “We lost our Altadena home after living there for over 40 years. Now in our seventies, we’re staying with family, traveling seven hours each way for doctor visits, coping with PTSD and depression, and trying to rebuild with an insurance payout that covers only half of what we need — SCE’s help would truly be a godsend.”

  • “Living in my home but have tested high for lead and other heavy metals. Getting abatement estimates. Insurance (CFP) says it will not cover. I have been living here since the fire. My health and well being are at risk. I am depressed. My friends are all out of the area.”

  • “While our house survived, it was contaminated with lead, soot, ash, and char. Ten months later, 95% of our belongings are gone, Mercury Insurance still refuses to pay for full cleanup, and we’re facing water and mold damage — we’re still a long way from getting back home.”

  • "Our apartment burned. The smoke and stress worsened my husband's COPD. Now, he has severe emphysema and relies on oxygen. We’re living in a small studio without a proper kitchen, struggling to manage his health and the costs of food and medication.”

  • “This entire experience has been an absolute nightmare. & destroyed my faith in humanity. Thank you Edison for destroying my home, my inventory which was my sole source of income, killing my precious pets, and destroying my physical health and mental wellbeing! I feel hopeless and broken.”

  • “We were displaced and moved 14 times in six months before getting back home. On a fixed income, we’ve maxed out credit cards and taken on new debt. After spending over $250,000 to make our home safe again, being told we’re “ineligible” because we fall outside the DINS map adds deep insult to physical, emotional, and mental injury.”

  • “This situation has been completely devastating and challenging. We can never get back what was taken from us. We no longer have the illusion of security and are struggling to remain hopeful while dealing with the financial fall out from losing everything you owned and all the systems you believed in.”

  • “We’re barely hanging on, a fair settlement with Edison could make a huge difference.”

  • “Although our home is standing, we lost it all to lead contamination from the fire. We have 3 small children and a dog and have had to relocate 4 times! Kids lost their school in the fire. It’s nine months later and we are not back at our homes yet.”

  • “Edison’s pain and suffering payments suggested do not nearly account for residents loss of lifestyle, emotional anguish, health and lifespan impacts of long term chronic stress, ongoing impacts to employment and relationships, loss of pets, loss of irreplaceable family heirlooms, and more.”

  • “We invested $350,000 and countless hours of our personal labor over the past 5 years to remodel and update our 100 year old home, all of that investment was destroyed and wasted in a matter of hours due to nothing more than blatant negligence. We're paying a mortgage for a home that we can't live in and a community that's been leveled. They ruined our lives, almost killed us, and are offering an insult in return.”

  • “As a renter w 2 kids: We lost a house and all contents and were displaced for many months moving to every few weeks due to limited LOU from renters insurance. Our kids schools were displaced too. I believe I indirectly lost my job due to the fire and my wife was passed over for what seemed to be a guaranteed promotion.”

  • “Altadena was highly desirable before the fires. Now people fear that they will return to a toxic soup and loud, unbearable construction.”

  • “This has caused so much stress, pain, agony and we are traumatized for life. I have not been able to go home due to the smoke damage. I have moved my family including two neurodivergent children eight times since January. I am running out of insurance coverage and still displaced. Being left off of Edison’s radar is a continued slap-in-the-face.”

  • “The hardest part is the toll on my children. They freeze at the sight of an open flame, they are frightened when they see electrical transformers, and they still ask about their toys and beg to go home. This is the reality we’re living — but under Edison’s proposal, none of it is considered their responsibility.”

  • “We have been away from our house for 9 months now, experiencing delay after delay. The pain and suffering this has caused in our family, especially our son, has been enormous. I know we are going to end up with lots of out-of-pocket costs and will have to battle insurance. The lack of resources offered to us "standing home" folk is absolutely insulting.”

  • “As renters, my family and I lost everything in the Eaton Fire, not just our home, but also all personal belongings, art, furniture, jewelry, vintage fashion and a car. On top there is the added monthly cost for rental elsewhere, a new vehicle, additional insurance cost and the emotional distress and mental health. We will have to live this new reality for the rest of our lives.”

  • “As renters, my family and I lost everything in the Eaton Fire, not just our home, but also all personal belongings, art, furniture, jewelry, vintage fashion and a car. On top there is the added monthly cost for rental elsewhere, a new vehicle, additional insurance cost and the emotional distress and mental health. We will have to live this new reality for the rest of our lives.”

  • “My family lost our entire home and neighborhood in West Altadena. My son grew up there and is a teenager now and lost his entire childhood memories. We are displaced and have a diminished quality of life living out of the area as that is all we could find. We also lost our businesses...I had a studio in the garage and my husband as well.”

  • “I see our most vulnerable folks being taken advantage of with this “Fast cash” offer. Signing NDA’s & dropping further insurance claims? Who’s helping who out here?”

  • “Our youngest is struggling even more than the adults in our family. We all lost our home, all of our stuff, and some pets. He also lost his school and his 5 closest friends have all moved away. His belief that we can keep him safe is gone. It may be a lifetime of struggle to overcome.”

  • “I was affected greatly, even though the condo I rented was not burned. My work, my home, my money, my emotional toll was vast and I can't believe I'm not included. As an artist, having a stable place to make art is a huge part of my work and affects my ability to make money.”

  • “My girlfriend finally paid off her car and she had to get a new one and is making payment on that now. Also would like to see a higher payout for pain and suffering because that shit was traumatic as fuck. We had to move 5 times in the span of 3 months before moving into a much smaller place.”

  • “I'm a senior (aged 70). I was all set to retire, but due to increased expenses and having to Airbnb hop, I still have to work, in addition to the work of all the paperwork requirements by insurance and every aid agency. I am so, so very tired. Missed all my vacation plans for July. Already had an ER visit due to stress.”

  • “My daughter is 8, she also lost her school. Her community anchors evaporated overnight. Still, daily she will lament over the fact that she has no belongings from “before the fire”, that everything she has now is either second hand, given/donated or new. Her emotional losses are even more traumatic than an adult’s as she doesn’t yet have all the coping mechanisms and level of understanding.”

  • “This experience has certainly been traumatic for me, but I think my children suffered more. One of them underwent a complete personality change from outgoing and bubbly to totally withdrawn. The other developed a drug problem.”

  • “Due to this disaster we will be forced to go into our hard earned savings and retirement to rebuild our home. I was planning on retiring in 2025 no way now. I certainly did not expect to be completely rebuilding a new home. A home that we have owned for 29 years. I am now 66 years old.”

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Join survivors, allies and news media getting weekly updates on our recovery, insurance battles, and how we’re holding Edison accountable to fix what it broke. Stay connected. Stay informed.

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Inside the Report

Fix What You Broke brings together the experiences of more than 200 survivors: homeowners, renters, and small business owners who lost our homes, health, and community. It calls on Edison to:

1. Fix what you broke.
Cover the full scope of losses from Edison’s fire: physical, financial, emotional, and community.

2. Include everyone harmed
Value children, renters, and smoke-damaged households equally.

3. Pay for housing until we are home.
Cover full living costs until families can safely return or rebuild.

The #1 obstacle to the Eaton Fire recovery is what survivors simply call the gap: the difference between what insurance pays and what it actually costs to rebuild.

And the entity responsible for closing that gap is the same one that caused the destruction in the first place: Southern California Edison.

Read Our Analysis of the Final Compensation Plan

The choices Edison makes now will shape our future: whether our community rebuilds, or becomes another statistic in California’s long list of unfinished recoveries.

Every Fire Survivor's Network members and community leaders posing together in front of the Altadena map mural

Next Steps for Our Community

Edison’s final compensation plan will show whether the company intends to make things right — or repeat the same patterns that have stalled recovery in fire zones across California.

When that plan is released, we’ll need to look closely. Compare what Edison offers to what survivors have said is essential: full cleanup, fair compensation, and housing until every family is home.

Hold onto this question: does the plan truly fix what was broken?

Our recovery depends on more than promises. It depends on whether Edison delivers real relief, closes the insurance gap, and helps families rebuild our lives.

We’ll continue tracking every development and sharing updates — until every family is home.

Stay Updated