Eaton Fire Survivors Return Home in Time for Thanksgiving

After losing everything in the Eaton Fire, Pasadena resident Jun Li Lujan and her husband have reached a milestone they once only hoped for: moving back into their newly rebuilt home in time for Thanksgiving.

Lujan says determination fueled her journey from devastation to restoration. “I’m a fighter,” she said. “I fight back to my house.”

Her background as a home builder and designer helped speed the recovery process. Still, the same can’t be said for many others affected by the wildfire. According to Los Angeles County’s recovery dashboard, more than 2,400 rebuilding applications have been submitted since the fire. Only 367 homes are currently under construction, and Lujan’s home is just one of only two completed.

Fire safety was at the heart of every design decision. The new house features aluminum siding, non-flammable furniture and a metal roof—changes she believes are crucial. “When I design the new house, the first thing I think about, I need a metal roof,” she said.

On Tuesday, Lujan and her husband opened their doors to neighbors, local leaders and other survivors for a special open house gathering. It was a moment that brought the emotional weight of the past year into focus. “My house burned down, I never cried,” she said. “Yesterday, I see them all come, I have tears.”

Mounted on the fence outside is a sign she found shortly after the fire: “And so they built a life they loved.” Now it hangs as a symbol of resilience and the new foundation the couple has created.

Lujan hopes her story motivates others still facing a long road ahead. “If I can do, they can too,” she said.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.