Born and raised on Guam, former island resident Tasi Hogan has spent the last several years in Los Angeles. Life took a sudden turn when devastating fires swept through her neighborhood.

For the past year and a half, Hogan has called LA’s Pacific Palisades home. 

Nestled between Santa Monica and the bustling heart of the city, it was a quiet, hidden gem, far from the tourist crowds, yet close to everything.

“The palisades is a residential enclave that tourists didn't really know about..it was close to Santa Monica, downtown LA, West Hollywood,  the bustling parts of LA but it felt residential and quiet,” said Hogan. 

While working from home, just steps from the water, Hogan noticed the smell of smoke creeping in through her open windows. Moments later, her phone lit up with an emergency alert, an evacuation order.

“I was probably one of the first zones to evacuate because of the proximity to the fire. Once that alert went off, it got very scary and things moved very quickly,” added Hogan. 

The strong Santa Ana winds turned a dangerous fire into an unstoppable force.

“The sky got orange first and it eventually turned black. Because there was so much smoke in the air,” she said. 

With only minutes to act, Hogan grabbed whatever she could, her dogs, a few essentials, and rushed out the door. But what awaited her outside was just as terrifying: Gridlocked traffic and flames closing in.

“Everyone in their cars at this point trying to evacuate, we were sitting in the cars and we could see the flames coming down the hill, down the mountain, and it was exacerbated by the wind. Some got out of their cars and just ran on foot,” she added. 

As of now, Hogan remains displaced. Although the structure of her home is still standing, there is significant damage to it and the surroundings.

“A few buildings next to me went down and people lost their homes. There are concerns of environmental contamination, and ash is extremely toxic,” she said. 

She is currently trying to find another place. It will be a long road to remediation but she feels very fortunate.

“I can eventually go back and grab my dad's ashes and all the sentimental things in life like old pictures and things like that,” said Hogan. 

Hogan thanks everyone who has reached out to her in some shape or form.

“Its a good reminder that oftentimes we think it's just a text it doesn't matter  but it really does matter. Just want to say thank you for being so supportive and who has offered to help during this disruptive and chaotic time,” she said.