LOS ANGELES, California: Victims of one of California's worst fires are facing tough decisions about whether to rebuild.

They are dealing with soaring construction costs, years of effort ahead, and doubts about whether tight-knit communities, like middle-class Altadena, will recover.

Toxic ash and pollution cover entire neighborhoods, adding to the challenges. The fire has killed about two dozen people and destroyed over 10,000 structures.

Karen Myles, 66, fled her Altadena home in the middle of the night, wearing pajamas. Her son woke her up, and together, they escaped through flaming trees and sparking wires from fallen power poles. Her house and neighborhood were destroyed, and she doesn't plan to return.

"I'm not rebuilding. No way," she said at a recovery center. "That fire took everything out of me. I'll move somewhere nice, maybe Colorado." After 40 years in her home, she'll miss her friends but feels she has no choice.

Sonia and James Cummings, who lived in Pacific Palisades, also lost their home. They had renovated it into their dream house but now face a wasteland. "We planned to stay there for life," said James, 77. Sonia, 70, added, "Everything was perfect. I can't go through that again."

Toxic ash is a significant concern. The L.A. County Public Health Department warns it is like dangerous dust that can harm the lungs and anything it touches. Mark Pestrella, head of L.A. County Public Works, announced a free program to help clear hazardous debris, promising to make lots ready for rebuilding and cut through red tape. Still, many believe rebuilding will be slow and difficult.

Shawna Dawson-Beer, 50, and her husband, Marcus Beer, 54, lost their renovated "forever home" in Altadena. When she returned, she didn't recognize her street. "Our homes are gone, our community is gone, and we're scattered," she said. Marcus added that while they had good insurance, living in a newly recognized burn zone could make rebuilding even more stressful.

Charlotte Dewaele, 48, was luckier. Her rental home survived because her husband stayed to fight the fire. But now she wonders if it's worth moving back to a devastated area. Toxic chemicals from construction and ash might linger for years. "Am I going to make my kid wear a mask outside for the next four years?" she asked.

Many worry insurance won't cover skyrocketing building costs. Real estate broker Adam Jaret, 49, fears big developers could take over and change the community entirely.

Still, leaving isn't easy. Dawson-Beer and her husband considered renting a house 100 miles away but couldn't go through with it. "The idea of leaving everything I know gave me a panic attack," she said.