By Kayla DeKraker
A year later, Great American Family actor Cameron Mathison reflected on the tragic wildfires that ravaged the LA area in January 2025.
“Thank you guys, for, you know, highlighting this and talking about it,” he told GOOD MORNING AMERICA anchor Michael Strahan.
“…I posted that it’s been a year of loss, of learning, of love, of next chapters,” Mathison continued. “And I guess, you know, really, what I meant by that is as a family, as a community, thousands of us are going through so much devastation and loss.”
Two fires, the Palisades fire and the Eaton fire, ignited on Jan. 7, 2025, charring 59 square miles, destroying 16,246 structures and killing 31 people, according to U.S. News. It took weeks before both blazes were finally put out.
Mathison lost his home in the Eaton fire, sharing a video of the rubble on Jan. 8 last year.
Related: ‘So Surreal’: Cameron Mathison Reflects on Losing Home in LA Fires
He wrote, “We are safe. But this is what’s left of our beautiful home. Our home where our kids were raised and where they wanted to raise their own someday.”
Though he and his neighbors are still dealing with the aftermath, the actor tries to stay positive.
“These are the times I feel like, if we have the right mindset and we come at it in the right way, we just have so much to learn and come together. And there’s so many opportunities for compassion, for thinking about the thousands of other people going through it, for generosity, for giving back, for learning and growing your inner qualities,” he said.
He added, “I know it sounds maybe like a little bit of a, you know, like a cliche or something, but it really, truly has been a year of pain and loss, but also learning and growth and coming together like I could have never imagined.”
People in the comment section expressed their sympathy for the actor and others.
“God bless him, so selfless and worried about everyone else more than himself! Always loved him,” one person said. Another added, “Cameron is such a kindhearted soul and inspiration to others.”
A year after the devastation, Mathison wrote on Instagram, “A year since the fire. Loss changed us. Love carried us. Sending so much love to all those affected.”
Mathison has been vulnerable about the mental struggles that came with losing his home in the fires, including considering drinking again, a habit he gave up years ago.
“I have to say, the pull and the thoughts are definitely stronger these last four months — more so than the last 20, 21 years of my life,” he told PEOPLE in May 2025. He explained how although times were hard, he continued to fight. “I really try to turn inward and work on my inner qualities of love, compassion, patience, generosity, kindness, and train in meditation, work on that serenity through community, through my own spiritual practice,” he said.
Continue to keep Mathison and all those still dealing with the aftermath of the fires in your prayers.
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