This is a story about historic fires, survival, and what promises to be monumental efforts to rebuild and flourish in an often hostile environment where danger lurks with every gust of wind.

In short, it is a story about ourselves.

As tens of thousands of L.A. County residents spent the last two weeks trying to stay alive and keep their homes from burning to the ground, there was little time to think about how these fires will change the complexion of our region.

But as the flames die down and we all absorb the staggering losses of people and property, our focus shifts to picking up the pieces and choosing the best path forward.

In a KNX News special, we look back at how the fires ripped through communities and the destruction left in their wakes ... and we look forward to the immensely complicated questions about recovery and rebuilding.