Searing images captured Jan. 10 in Malibu and Pacific Palisades underscore the enormity of the loss and the long road ahead to recovery.

A retired Los Angeles County Fire Department captain sprung into action when the Palisades Fire began to approach his home in Malibu last week, all while other homes in the surrounding area were already on fire.

A huge village has sprung up on the golden sands of a beach in Malibu, becoming a temporary home for thousands of firefighters from all over North America to eat, sleep and recuperate when they aren't battling fires across Los Angeles.