492: LA is Burning: My Personal Evacuation Experience of Fire, Ash, and Hope

Food Heals

Allison Melody

Mental Health, Health & Fitness, Nutrition

4.8 • 635 Ratings

🗓️ 14 January 2025

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Thank you to everyone who reached out to check on me—I'm safe. For those who don't know, I was just a few miles away from the Palisades fires in Los Angeles and had to evacuate twice with three dogs. Thankfully, we all made it out safely. My heart breaks for this city and those who've lost so much. When the fires began, I was at my co-working space. My friend texted me that the Pacific Palisades were on fire. I raced back to Santa Monica, where I was staying, to get my dog Lily and the two I was dog-sitting, Max and Annabelle, to safety. Smoke filled the air, and the fires raged nearby. I packed essentials and the family's keepsakes, loaded the dogs, and headed to Pasadena, where my friend Debby had offered her home. The relief didn't last. Power outages, heavy smoke, and another nearby fire made it clear we needed to leave. We drove to Palm Springs, battling intense winds, closed gas stations, and a surreal, apocalyptic landscape. Finally, we arrived at a client's home, safe but shaken. The dogs settled in, but my nervous system stayed in fight-or-flight mode. Back in LA, I'm heartbroken for those who've lost everything—their homes, pets, and loved ones. Many had their fire insurance canceled just before the disaster. The emotional and physical toll of this tragedy is immense, and I'm dedicating my platform to sharing resources and exploring how we can heal and protect our health from the long-term effects of smoke and toxins. If you want to help, consider donating to shelters or GoFundMe campaigns. I'm personally collecting supplies for displaced animals and delivering them across LA. You can Venmo @melodyproductions to contribute. Together, we can make a difference for those in need. Love to you all and prayers for everyone affected. Cheers to your good health.

Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to the Food Heels podcast.
0:08.3	Warning, side effects of this podcast may include increased health and vitality, thoughts of living longer,
0:12.3	developing a more positive outlook on life, an increase in sexual activity, feelings of joy,
0:16.0	cravings for kale and kiel and kymwa, and a spike in Tinder matches.
0:18.8	In rare cases, people have experienced a strong desire to put down the Ben and Jerry's, get off the couch and take a walk outside. If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your Facebook friends immediately.
0:26.6	All right, welcome Food Heels Nation. Thanks for joining me. I'm Allison Melody. Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out. Thank you for checking on me. I am safe. I am okay. For those who don't know,
0:40.6	I was just a few miles from the Palisades fires when they began here in Los Angeles.
0:46.2	I did have to evacuate twice with three dogs, but we all made it out safely. I'm safe. I'm good.
0:53.2	However, I am absolutely beyond heartbroken for this city that I love
0:58.1	so much. That's always been my second home. I moved here, you know, when I was 25 years old. I love
1:06.4	it so much. And today, if the audio isn't perfect, I do apologize. I'm outside. I'm in my car outside
1:14.5	here of my co-working space, and here they are taking donations. Most needed items are baby
1:20.9	supplies, clothing, blankets, package snacks, pet supplies. They are doing grief healing sessions
1:26.7	for anyone affected. This is at Soho
1:29.5	warehouse in downtown L.A. I've been helping out. I am also booking future podcast guests so I can
1:35.9	share their stories and learn more about what are the long-term health effects. What can we do
1:41.0	to protect ourselves if we are, you know, in an evacuation zone where
1:46.3	we're inhaling these carcinogenic chemicals. Then next I'm going to head out to drop off dog food
1:53.9	and supplies for Sweet Jenny here in L.A. who was taken in seven displaced dogs into a one-bedroom
2:00.7	apartment. If you want to Venmo,
2:02.6	I'll give you that information. I'm just doing what I can. Now that I'm back here in L.A.
2:08.4	I did evacuate. I left, but I just got back. So I'm trying to help as much as I can.
	...

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