It’s been more than a year, but for those who stayed behind as the Eaton fire tore through Altadena back on Jan. 7, 2025, the memories are still vivid and painful.

Many, including the four survivors featured here, were faced with a mammoth decision of whether to stay or to go, as the blaze consumed so much of area.

In these audio interviews, they reflect on the moment when they were forced to make a split-second decision on whether to stay and try to save their homes or whether to flee for their lives.

They were certainly aware of the risks, and some, even in retrospect, aren’t convinced they did the right thing by staying behind. Public safety authorities consistently emphasize that people need to get out immediately in such circumstances. Preserving live takes priority above all.

But in the real-life moment, the impulse to stay — physically, or in one case, spiritually/symbolically — was compelling.

As survivor Tristin Perez said, “I still have nightmares to this day about it … . It was a night I want to forget but unfortunately I won’t forget.”

Southern California News Group Photographer Sarah Reingewirtz covered the massive fires and has spent much of the past year capturing images of the recovery. She connected with survivors, who graciously shared their memories.

We invite you to meet them here, and to listen to their recollections.

Ted Seavers, 81, stayed behind saving half a dozen homes, including his own, during the Eaton fire. For 10 days he slept in his car and home watching over his neighborhood, and said he would do it again.

Maggie Cortez’s mother Rosa passed away at 77, in the September before before the Eaton fire. Cortez had been taking her mother’s picture everywhere. Cortez, who owns El Patron restaurant, left her framed “Mamarosa” photo of her mother Rosa on the sofa to watch over her home and business when she evacuated. She prayed that the presence her mom would somehow watch over her house and business.

Tristin Perez, 35, saved his landlord’s property during the Eaton fire.

“My faith kept me here and alive,” he said.

Perez moved back with his family in Modesto after ending up homeless from missing out on work by staying in the locked down fire zone.

Kenny Devine, 70, put his bass guitar in his Mercedes-Benz and drove down his street to evacuate during the Eaton fire, but changed his mind and stayed behind. The change saved his home his mother bought 65 years ago, and the homes of his neighbors.