Previous Victims to Aid in Recovery

Victims of the 1993 Altadena fire understand too well the agony of recovery.

Some have yet to rebuild homes. Insurance checks can take years. Bureaucracy often baffles.

They also know that the best way to cope is together.

Beginning tonight, through a series of community workshops, the Altadena victims will reach out to Southern California residents suffering in the aftermath of October’s wildfires.

One of the state’s worst disasters, the outbreak of wildfires is blamed for more than 20 deaths, consumed more than 739,000 acres and destroyed more than 3,500 structures.

“It was amazing to see the most recent fires,” said Ursula Hyman, whose house was the only one in her neighborhood to survive the 1993 fire in Altadena and Kinneloa Mesa Estates, north of Pasadena in unincorporated Los Angeles County.

That blaze destroyed 121 structures and damaged 40.

“We have so much sympathy and empathy for the fire victims,” said Hyman, former chairwoman of the Eaton Canyon Recovery Alliance. “What immediately came to mind was the long road ahead of them. People say they’ll be in their homes in a year. Many will be lucky if they begin the building process in a year.”

In the workshops, Altadena fire victims will offer more than horror-story accounts. They’ll provide resources, tips and the support needed to navigate the rebuilding process.

“We learned so much,” said Hyman, a partner at Latham & Watkins, a Los Angeles law firm that is donating its expertise to this year’s fire victims. “We’d hate to reinvent the wheel.”

After the Altadena fire, residents from nine homeowner associations formed the Eaton Canyon Recovery Alliance.

They formed committees focusing on issues such as insurance, mental health, building permits and mudslide dangers.

“They learned that a small group of local citizens can make an enormous difference with elected officials and government agencies,” said Paul Vandeventer, president of Community Partners, a nonprofit charitable group that works with more than 160 community projects in Southern California and is a sponsor of the workshops.

The workshop sessions:

* Today, 7 to 10 p.m., Moorpark Community Center, 799 Moorpark Ave., Moorpark.

* Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon, Dingeman Elementary School, 11840 Scripps Creek Drive, Scripps Ranch.

* Saturday, 3 to 6 p.m., Julian Women’s Clubhouse, 2607 C St., Julian.

* Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to noon, Lake Arrowhead Village Fire Station 91, 301 S. Highway 173, Lake Arrowhead.

* Dec. 13, 2:30 to 5 p.m., Del Rosa United Methodist Church, 3350 Del Rosa Ave., San Bernardino.