Camille Grammer says she cannot ‘sleep well’ as L.A. fires remind her of past events: We’ve been through this before…

Camille Grammer is no stranger to the California wildfires.

According to CBS News, the Woolsey Fire burnt over 96,000 acres seven years ago, demolishing 1,643 houses in its path. The scarcity of water, eerily reminiscent of the Palisades fire, claimed Grammer’s Malibu home.

The Pacific Palisades fire, and the absence of water to differentiate it, brought back memories for the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum.

“That’s what happened to my house, and during the Woolsey fire, when the firefighters got there, it went to the hydrant, and there wasn’t enough water pressure,” Grammer, 56, told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview about losing her home in 2018.  “So then they couldn’t save the house.”

Grammer recalls communicating with the fire chief who attempted to rescue her home during the Woolsey Fire. “He said, ‘I’m sorry. There is nothing we can do. We just don’t have water pressure. They expressed their frustration, apologized, and made an effort to improve the situation.

Grammer stated that when firemen realized there wouldn’t be enough water to rescue her home, they focused on preserving valuables such as automobiles and paintings.

“I didn’t ask for that,” Grammer told PEOPLE. “They did it themselves, which was really nice, as there wasn’t enough water pressure to save the house.”

When gusts up to 100 mph force her Palisades community to evacuate, Grammer remembers losing her Malibu house.

“I haven’t been able to sleep well, and I keep thinking of my friends who have lost their homes,” Grammer said of recent phone chats with loved ones. “I am heartbroken by the destruction of neighborhoods and lives. “It’s awful.”

Grammer’s house is now safe, but she knows from experience that this might change soon.

“But again, you never know if the winds kick up again and what direction they turn; it’s, you know, a wait-and-see game,” Grammer said.

Grammer added that while she prays for the winds to slow, she is also constantly praying for the safety of Los Angeles’ fire department.

“These firefighters are amazing,” Grammer told PEOPLE. “They put their lives on the line all the time to save people and communities and homes, and they’re trying their best under these awful conditions.”

“We need to rethink and rebuild the infrastructure.” I’m referring to water supply pumps designed to pump water uphill, as some of these residences are situated on hills, correct? It’s a hole; it’s a mess. “It’s really a mess,” Grammer said.

Grammer told PEOPLE that her heart hurts for everyone involved, saying, “It’s just absolutely devastating.” I’ve been receiving phone calls and texts from individuals who are currently experiencing this, reeling from the shock of losing their houses, and they’re simply devastated.

During a conversation with friends, Grammer expressed a sense of pessimism, asking, “What can they do?” Having already lost a house, she is in a unique position to provide support.

“For me, based on my personal experience, life holds greater significance than one’s home,” states Grammer. “If you’re safe, it means your life, your health, and the safety of your family and loved ones. You can replace material goods, rebuild a house, or find a new place to live, but you can’t replace a life.”

“And it’s really important in times like these, when the neighbors come together and communities come together to help each other out,” Grammer told the crowd.