In the aftermath of the Woolsey Fire, the charred surface of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy area looks like a photo from another planet, barren and lifeless. It’s not the first time these hills have seen a fire. It’s incredibly sad. Even though I know that with time they will miraculously spring back to life, this time the devastation was not just to trees and shrubs, but to homes. And lives. Those will take longer to heal.

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