The Barber Who Stayed: Defending Homes and Healing a Burned Community

Posted on by

On a day that started like any other, Peter Lamden, owner of “Peter Lamden Salon” in the Pacific Palisades, noticed smoke billowing on the horizon just minutes after receiving emergency alerts. Having grown up in the area, he instantly recognized the danger. He reached out to his childhood best friend, whose home became the first of over 6,500 to burn. “He was there for three hours with a fire hose and wasn’t able to get ahead of it.”

The fire destroyed over 200 homes and burned thousands of acres. It spread rapidly due to dry brush and extreme wind conditions that Lamden described as unlike anything he had seen in his 37 years living in the area. Mandatory evacuations followed, and his salon was closed for nearly a month. “We were without power for weeks. We are still without potable water,” he said. Traffic congestion and mismanaged emergency protocols made evacuation difficult. “PCH should have been shut down the minute that fire started to keep all lanes open for first responders.”

Peter Lamden (left) is consulting with client Zak Chaouki (right).

Rather than flee, Lamden chose to stay and defend his home and those of his neighbors. After receiving basic guidance from a firefighter, he and a friend took turns using shovels and a makeshift hose to push back the flames. “Eventually, they left. After that, it was just me and my friend, taking turns on the shovel and the hose for hours.”

Lamden is in his early 40s, with a lean frame, tan complexion, and sun-weathered hands from years of cutting hair. A father of two, Lamden took over his family’s salon after his mother retired, transforming it into a community staple known for its inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.

In the aftermath, Lamden took action. He reached out to every brand he’d ever partnered with, collecting thousands of dollars’ worth of donated haircare products. “We’ve probably given out over 100 bags so far. The majority of those bags have been picked up by strangers who just heard what we were doing and reached out.”

He described the rebuilding process as daunting. Long-time residents, particularly middle-class and multi-generational families, face enormous financial strain. One friend’s family home, paid off and once worth $3.5 million, received only $700,000 in insurance. Construction quotes have soared to over $1,000 per square foot. Meanwhile, developers are buying fire-damaged lots for 20% below market value, contributing to the erosion of the neighborhood’s character.

Donated items from partnering businesses.

Lamden expressed disappointment with the media’s lack of continued coverage. “The media loves the initial disaster—the dramatic footage of flames, helicopters dropping water. But once the fire is out, they move on.” He criticized the public misconception that everyone in the Palisades is wealthy. “Some families have lived here for decades and will never be able to come back.”

Despite the loss, Lamden remains committed to helping his community. “We’re going to keep giving out these donation bags until we run out. If there’s one less thing for someone to worry about, then it’s worth it.” His story is one of resilience, grassroots aid, and the importance of not forgetting disaster-stricken communities once the flames have died down.

This story is part of a semester-long investigative reporting project into the 2025 California wildfires. It was created by an advanced reporting class in the Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies program at UW-Milwaukee. Other stories from the project are available here.

This work was made possible through the support of MPC Endowment Ltd., the philanthropic affiliate of the Milwaukee Press Club.