Homeowner Explains How Clever Design Protected His Los Angeles Property From Wildfires

Jan 17, 2025

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At the start of 2025, California faced devastating wildfires that spread across large areas of the state. Fueled by strong winds and dry plants, the fires threatened homes, wildlife, and local ecosystems, forcing thousands to evacuate. 

Emergency services fought the flames using ground teams and air support, but the size of the fires made them hard to control. Communities came together to help those affected, while officials stressed the need for fire preparedness and resilience to climate change.

As the smoke cleared, attention turned to recovery and rebuilding, showcasing the strength of the impacted communities. While the wildfires destroyed entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles, a few homes surprisingly survived. 

From sturdy designs to the protective measures taken by celebrities, let’s look at some notable homes that stood firm while many others were lost.

Actor James Woods shared an emotional update on social media about his property after the wildfires, revealing it had survived against all odds. He wrote on X: “A miracle has happened.” 

Woods continued: “We managed to get to our property and our home, that we were told is gone forever, is still standing.” Despite some damage, he noted, “In this hellish landscape, ‘standing’ is relative , but smoke and other damage is not like the utter destruction around us.” 

Responses flooded in, with one user saying, “Oh wow. You’re on the right side with God,” and another stating, “Wow. That’s great news.”

The New York Post reported that a $9 million Malibu mansion belonging to retired waste-management executive David Steiner also survived.

At first, Steiner thought his home was gone after a local contractor shared a video showing flames engulfing his property and nearby homes. He reflected: “It looked like nothing could have possibly survived that, and I thought we had lost the house.”

However, Steiner was soon surprised by people contacting him with pictures of his home. He said:

“I started getting pictures and realized we had made it through.”

Steiner attributed his property’s survival to its sturdy construction, which was built to endure earthquakes and features fire-resistant materials like stucco, stone, and a fireproof roof. 

Despite the situation, Steiner expressed gratitude:

“I said, ‘Don’t pray for me — what I lost is material goods.’… I lost a property, but others lost their homes.” 

He also expressed disbelief: “...I never in a million years thought a wildfire would jump to the Pacific Coast Highway and start a fire.” 

On X, one netizen wrote:

“So it is possible to build a fireproof and earthquake resistant home.” 

“This miracle,” another person shared, as a third added, “That’s incredible! It’s amazing how some places can withstand nature’s fury.”

Architect Greg Chasen’s house also had a fortunate escape during the wildfires. Sharing his experience on X, he wrote:

“Some of the design choices we made here helped. But we were also very lucky.” 

He posted a photo of his neighbor’s car surrounded by a trail of molten aluminum, noting:

“The neighbor moved his car into the driveway before leaving — this may have burned his house down.” 

One user speculated:

“This house, designed as a ‘Passive House’ concept, survived the Cali wildfire. Might had (sic) a lot to do with the brick wall around the property though.” 

Another commented:

“Defensive building is going to be a popular topic,” adding, “This looks to be a lot of masonry and few eaves. I’m also interested in the roofing.” 

Among the homes that narrowly escaped was legendary actor Tom Hanks’s $26 million mansion, which remained largely intact while nearby houses burned. Despite the sorrow and grief, these properties emerged as rare beacons of hope.

As we reflect on the stories of homes that survived the fires, let’s consider this: How crucial is it to implement safety measures in construction to protect against possible disasters? Let us know, and then pass this on to raise awareness about the importance of building safety and inspire meaningful conversations.