Mom Tells Her Kids L.A. Fires Aren't 'a Bad Thing' as She Uses Tragedy to Teach Life Lesson: 'Experiences That Make You More Human'
01/11/2025 03:39 PM
The family's home was destroyed by the Palisades Fire, which began on Jan. 7
A California mom whose home was destroyed in the Los Angeles fires is attempting to use the tragedy as a learning moment for her kids.
The mom was spotted surveying the damage done to her home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of L.A. along with her two young children when she was approached by MSNBC anchor Katy Tur.
"I believe that life is about learning and about having experiences that make you more human," the woman — who wished to remain anonymous — told Tur through tears. "I was telling my kids, 'This isn't a bad thing. This is just, like, a potent thing. This is something that makes us bigger humans.' "
@msnbc MSNBC's @Katy Tur speaks with an emotional mother and her two kids about losing their home to the fierce wildfires burning out of control in the greater Los Angeles area. "I believe that life is about learning... this is something that makes us bigger humans," she told Tur. #california#wildfire#losangeles#news
♬ original sound - MSNBC
The Palisades Fire began on Tuesday, Jan. 7, and was the first of several major fires to break out in L.A. County in the ensuing hours and days. Other devastating fires include the Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire and Kenneth Fire.
Footage of harrowing mass evacuations and homes engulfed in flames have spread across news outlets and social media this week, with experts deeming the fires among the most destructive disasters in L.A. history, per ABC News.
As of Saturday, Jan. 11, more than 100,000 people have been evacuated and it is estimated that more than 10,000 properties have been destroyed, according to CNN. At least 11 people have died, per the outlet.
A new round of evacuations were ordered as recently as the evening of Friday, Jan. 10, when winds shifted and the Palisades Fire began moving eastward.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
As of the morning of Jan. 11, the Palisades Fire is currently 11% contained, the Eaton Fire is 15% contained, the Kenneth Fire is 80% contained and the Hurst Fire is 76% contained, per Fox News.
A number of celebrities have reported losing their homes amid the fires, including Billy Crystal, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore.