From the Ashes: A Realtor’s Mission to Help His Neighbors Rebuild
by David Cross, PasadenaNow.com
May 2025
Originally published by The Pasadena Now Weekendr.
Scott James stands amid the charred remains of what was once his mid-century modern home on Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena. The Douglas Elliman realtor has come to check on the property’s cleanup progress, a ritual he’s performed countless times since the devastating Southern California fires swept through the area in early January.
“It was a beautiful mid-century modern, and it had a secondary house at the back, a 1941 cottage,” James says, his voice momentarily faltering. “A gorgeous property. We had done a lot of work over the years, and it completely burned down to ashes.”
Like thousands of other residents in the Pasadena and Altadena areas, James lost everything in what locals have come to call the Eaton Fire. But while navigating his own loss and recovery process, he has become an unofficial guide for neighbors facing the same daunting decisions: Rebuild? Sell? Relocate?
“I’ve encouraged my neighbors to rebuild,” James says, explaining the practical economics of recovery. “If they sell the property, they’re going to get value for what the land is worth. But if they have insurance and they can rebuild, then take the opportunity to rebuild. And if you decide to sell after, that’s their prerogative, and they’re going to gain probably more value down the road.”
James, choking back tears while recounting his escape from the fires with his wife and sister-in-law, describes a harrowing scene from the night of January 7th. Hurricane-strength winds had been howling through the trees since early evening. By roughly 5:00 p.m., he noticed an ominous glow over Eaton Canyon. Within hours, the family was fleeing for their lives.
“My only thought was getting my family to safety,” he says.
The realtor now lives in a long-term rental secured by his insurance company, where he expects to stay for the next couple of years while rebuilding his own home. But even as he works through his personal recovery, James has become an essential resource for his community.
He’s part of a neighborhood group of about 15-16 homes that stays in constant communication, sharing information about services provided by the Army Corps of Engineers, EPA clearance procedures, debris removal protocols, and the various sign-offs needed to prepare properties for rebuilding.
“I’m not necessarily putting the sign out and saying, ‘Hey, if you want to sell, I’ll be a realtor to sell it for you.’ I’m not pushing that agenda at all,” James emphasizes. “I’m pushing as neighbors: If you want to remain in Altadena and you want to rebuild, I’m here to help and pass on any information that could be useful.”
His advice to fire victims is pragmatic and informed by his own experience: first, ensure your family’s safety; next, work closely with your insurance company to determine what will be covered before making any decisions about rebuilding or selling.
James has also connected neighbors with contractors and local service providers who are offering reduced rates to help rebuild the community. He’s keenly aware of the challenges ahead, noting that building costs have skyrocketed compared to when many of these homes were originally constructed, and that tariffs have made materials like Canadian lumber increasingly expensive.
“These little things add up,” he says. “But everybody wants to rebuild. In our group, primarily everyone is 100 percent on board with rebuilding. We’ve literally been together as brothers and sisters to try to make our immediate community, our neighborhood, rebuilt again in the near future.”
One of the most common frustrations James hears about is navigating bureaucracy. “It’s the red tape. It’s the delays. ‘Why isn’t my property cleared? Why haven’t they given me my EPA clearance?'” he says, mimicking the exasperated questions he regularly fields.
His advice to those struggling with the system is direct: be proactive. “I’ve encouraged my neighbors to register immediately to get the services provided, and then keep pushing, keep calling. Go down to the Altadena Disaster Center and let them know who you are, put a face to a name to the address.”
Beyond his immediate neighborhood, James has helped clients check on properties throughout the affected areas. In one case, he returned to a historic property he had listed, Villa Carlotta, to discover it still standing but with flames threatening the pedestrian gate. He organized an impromptu bucket brigade from the swimming pool to extinguish the fire while the elderly owners were safely away in Glendale.
He then noticed neighboring historic homes also needed assistance. Working with a local CBS reporter, he managed to get a fire brigade dispatched to save the homes, which were once owned by the Wells family in the early 1900s.
For displaced residents seeking temporary housing, James has offered guidance without seeking compensation, directing many to newly completed apartment complexes with available units. The realtor notes that when he first moved into temporary housing after the fires, the occupancy was low, but it quickly filled with fire victims seeking stability.
Altadena, known for its creative community and many residents from the entertainment industry, faces unique challenges and opportunities in rebuilding. James believes strongly in the area’s future.
“I honestly think the values are going to go up in years to come when the community’s built back,” he says with quiet confidence. “I think it’s going to turn into a vibrant community, and certainly there’s a lot of support for that.”
As clean-up crews work around him, James pauses to look at where his home once stood. The property is now just one of hundreds awaiting clearance and rebuilding permits. The process is slow and often frustrating, but James remains committed to helping his community navigate it together.
“We were on vacation,” he says, reflecting on the fire’s sudden arrival. “We had just gotten back early January and had only spent four or five days at the house before this fire broke out. It caught everybody off guard.”
Now, as Altadena begins the long process of renewal, residents like James are finding purpose in helping others, even as they rebuild their own lives from the ashes.
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