On the one-year anniversary of the Eaton Fire, a devastating event that scorched the foothills and lives of many in the Altadena and Pasadena area, a collective of writers and artists released BURNED, a genre-defying anthology inspired by fire in all its forms—destructive, transformative, and symbolic.
Edited by Nicholas Davidge and Alana White, BURNED brings together a remarkable array of voices and formats, including short stories, personal essays, poetry, micro-fiction, visual art, photography, and more. Each contribution explores humanity’s relationship with fire and its impact on our lives—whether literal, metaphorical, real, or imagined—through lenses that are personal, at times humorous or surreal, and always deeply human.
“This project came about as a coping mechanism, but also from a need to create something positive from all of the destruction,” said Davidge. “BURNED isn’t just about the Eaton Fire—it’s about all the fires we carry, what we make from them, and using creativity to heal.”
The anthology features a unique spectrum of writers and genres, unified by a shared response to loss and resilience. While inspired by the local experience of the Eaton Fire, the collection speaks to universal themes of destruction, adaptation, memory, and the complicated process of healing.
Profits from the anthology will be donated to Side Street Projects, a nonprofit organization based in Altadena that supports and uplifts creative individuals in the local community.
