Los Angeles wildfires

A photographer seeks community after losing his home

Kevin Cooley is used to documenting wildfires professionally.  He was unprepared when one took his family’s home in Altadena.

Kevin Cooley is used to documenting wildfires. He photographs fires and other natural phenomena for a living. He didn’t expect one to take his family’s home in Altadena.Kevin and his wife Bridget, who’s also an artist and a schoolteacher, lost their home, their studio, and much of their work in the fire. They evacuated with their son, Copernicus, and their dog, Galaxy. Bridget found out about free, emergency housing provided by Airbnb.org through 211LA and quickly applied for credits.

A man, a woman, a boy, and a dog stand leaning out of a doorway with sunlight shining on their faces.

Kevin, Bridget, Copey, and Galaxy spent several weeks in an Airbnb for free through Airbnb.org.

The family stayed in an Airbnb for several weeks while they figured out what was next. “We’re just trying to take this moment to sit and think for a minute about how to tackle what’s next,” Kevin said.

A man wearing glasses and a woman in a striped shirt sit together at a countertop in a sunlit room.

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“Losing our house and our stuff is definitely sad,” said Bridget. “But it’s such a great community and I really don’t want to lose that.”

During their stay, Kevin exhibited his work at a local gallery and held a book launch that he’d planned well before the fires. It gave him a chance to bring his community together at a time when he and his family needed connection and support.“Losing our house and our stuff is definitely sad,” said Bridget. “But it’s such a great community, and I really don’t want to lose that.” The family found a long-term housing solution and are working to keep their community together.