DIIV’s Zachary Cole Smith Reflects One Year After LA Wildfires: “Swimming in Trauma”

One year after LA’s devastating wildfires, DIIV’s Zachary Cole Smith opens up about the lasting trauma and the resilience of his community.

A Year Marked by Loss and Resilience

It’s hard to forget the chaos and heartbreak that struck Los Angeles in January 2025, when fierce wildfires tore through neighborhoods, leaving destruction and loss in their wake. Among those profoundly affected was Zachary Cole Smith, the frontman of DIIV, whose family home was engulfed and destroyed in the Eaton wildfire, a blaze that ravaged the Altadena area. Now, twelve months later, Zachary reflects on what it’s been like to navigate a year marked by trauma, resilience, and the slow, complicated process of rebuilding.

The 41-year-old musician candidly describes the experience as “swimming in trauma,” revealing how the emotional tides continue to wash over him and countless others. The fires that began on January 7, 2025, proved to be the deadliest and costliest in the region’s history, linked to more than 400 indirect deaths and estimated damage between $135 and $150 billion.

The Wildfires’ Massive Impact on LA and Its Music Community

The Eaton wildfire was just one part of a horrific series of blazes that forced over 200,000 residents, including Zachary and his family, to evacuate on short notice. He, his seven-month pregnant wife Dani, and their two-year-old son found refuge in a nearby hotel as their neighborhood was consumed by flames.

Zachary remembers the surreal feeling of returning to their street after the fire had passed. “All around was just like farmland or something covered in chimneys. It was a bizarre landscape,” he said, describing the heavy sinking feeling of loss as he turned onto their street.

The destruction stretched far beyond individual homes. Entire communities were affected, including the local music scene — a vibrant ecosystem suddenly shaken to its core. Others hit hard by the fires included Foo Fighters’ Chris Shiflett, Madlib, and alt-pop star Empress Of. Entire music archives were lost, and recording studios incinerated, creating a silent void where creativity once flourished.

Swimming in Trauma: The Emotional Toll

For Zachary, coping hasn’t been simple. “Trying to keep everything normal for them has been a distracting force. You have to pretend everything’s normal when everything is far from it,” he shares about maintaining a sense of normalcy for his young family amid chaos.

He recalls the difficulty of balancing grief, bureaucratic hurdles, and the pressing need to rebuild, noting that the process “will probably take the rest of our lives to process – it’s a long thing.”

A poignant moment that stuck with him is a meme he saw in a local Facebook group: “The waves of grief always come, but they become more manageable over time. But they’re always there.” This metaphor perfectly captures the enduring emotional waves that those affected continue to navigate.

“It does feel like swimming in trauma – it’s a good metaphor. We’ve been swimming in it for a year now.” – Zachary Cole Smith

Rebuilding Amid Uncertainty

The Smith family’s home was reduced to ashes, and hardly anything survived. A GoFundMe campaign started by a close friend helped to replace lost essentials — from their family car to Zachary’s music gear. Yet, the process of rebuilding is slow and fraught with uncertainty.

“We’re in an acceptable, decent place now that we’re going to be in until we rebuild the house,” Zachary explains. “Which will be at least another year from now.” The label of “climate refugees” feels painfully accurate to him and his family as they adapt to this forced nomadic life.

Despite the challenges, Zachary emphasizes the strength of community in Altadena. “The community coalesced around the fires, with mutual aid, love and support. That thing was so beautiful. We feel so connected to this place, specifically our lot, street, neighbours and community that, like, there’s really no other option.”

The Broader Fallout on LA’s Music Scene

The wildfires didn’t just take homes; they shook the very foundation of LA’s music culture. Alejandro Cohen, music director at KCRW, one of LA’s iconic public radio stations, reflects on the scars left behind—not just physical but emotional and creative.

“Many people in our community are still displaced or trying to piece their lives together. For lower-income and freelance musicians, the blow was especially hard,” Cohen notes. The loss of instruments, archives, and studios created what he calls a cultural blackout, with many artists forced to relocate and the city’s creative chemistry shifting.

MusiCares, a charity supporting music professionals, has stepped up, distributing nearly $15 million in aid to more than 3,200 individuals affected by the fires, from songwriters to road crew. Their executive director Theresa Wolters reminds us that “Recovery does not happen on a fixed schedule,” emphasizing the ongoing struggle many endure.

Climate Change: The Underlying Challenge

Rebuilding Los Angeles comes with the sobering reality that these disasters may become more frequent. A major scientific study linked climate change to the intense heat and dryness that fueled the wildfires. As the planet warms, extreme weather events like these will only increase.

Park Williams, a geography professor at the University of California, warns, “Communities can’t build back the same because it will only be a matter of years before these burned areas are vegetated again and a high potential for fast-moving fire returns to these landscapes.”

Alejandro Cohen adds a creative twist to this cautionary tale, noting that the community will need to rethink how and where music is made and stored, and how musicians support each other in this new climate reality.

A Community That Keeps Fighting

The musical community in LA has shown remarkable solidarity since the fires. Just last week, Dawes hosted 'A Concert For Altadena,' joined by The Killers' Brandon Flowers and other stars like Aloe Blacc, Jenny Lewis, and Rufus Wainwright. The event aimed to raise funds for fire victims and underscored the deep connections forged through shared hardship.

For those looking to help, organizations like MusiCares continue to provide essential support to music professionals impacted by the wildfires.

The intense experience Zachary Cole Smith and so many others have endured underscores how wildfires do more than just consume houses—they ripple through communities, cultures, and lives in ways that last for years. As LA rebuilds, it’s clear the scars run deep, but so does the spirit of resilience.

FAQ

• How did the wildfires affect Zachary Cole Smith and his family?
  Zachary’s family home in Altadena was destroyed in the Eaton wildfire. They had to evacuate quickly and are currently living in temporary accommodation while planning to rebuild.
• What is the scale of the wildfire destruction in LA?
  Over 18,000 homes and structures were destroyed, with the fires causing more than 400 indirect deaths and $135-150 billion in damage.
• How has the Los Angeles music community been impacted?
  Many musicians lost homes, instruments, archives, and studios. The financial and emotional toll has been significant, with many displaced or facing insecurity.
• What support systems are in place for affected musicians?
  Organizations like MusiCares have provided financial assistance totaling around $15 million to thousands of music professionals affected by the wildfires.
• How is climate change related to the wildfires?
  Scientific studies link climate change to the extreme hot and dry weather conditions that made these fires more likely and more severe, highlighting the need for adaptive rebuilding strategies.

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