In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles’s Pacific Palisades earlier this year, a new project seeks to preserve a poignant piece of the destruction — the chimneys of historic homes. Many of these chimneys are all that remain standing after the fires and now serve as powerful symbols of survival and memory.

The project, led by a local organization in collaboration with city officials and affected homeowners, plans to save several architecturally significant chimneys. Among those set for preservation are chimneys from homes designed by renowned architects such as Richard Neutra and Eric Lloyd Wright, the grandson of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

For centuries, the hearth and chimney have been the symbolic heart of a home, representing warmth, gathering, and family traditions. In Pacific Palisades, these surviving structures now carry an added weight, standing alone among the ruins as silent witnesses to the lives once lived around them.

The plan is to transform these salvaged chimneys into a lasting memorial dedicated to wildfire victims. The proposed memorial will not only honor those who lost their homes and lives but also celebrate the rich architectural history embedded in the neighborhood.

The idea has gained strong community support, with many viewing it as a way to turn tragedy into resilience and remembrance. Officials hope the memorial will offer a place for reflection, storytelling, and healing — just as hearths have done in homes for generations.

Further details about the project’s timeline and location are expected to be announced in the coming months as discussions between the city, preservationists, and homeowners continue.