1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand. It 2 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:08,840 Speaker 1: was a week that changed lives forever. 3 00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:13,000 Speaker 2: They didn't deploy, no adequate excuse, homes destroyed. 4 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:15,800 Speaker 3: Do you regret coming the fire department budget by millions 5 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:16,280 Speaker 3: of dollars? 6 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:19,239 Speaker 2: Not a fair Communities up ended, none of us. 7 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:22,160 Speaker 4: We're aware of the water issues with the reservoirs. 8 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:26,240 Speaker 1: When fires raged in southern California, KFI AM six forty 9 00:00:26,560 --> 00:00:26,880 Speaker 1: was there. 10 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:29,800 Speaker 5: The push to come back stronger than before is still going. 11 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 2: One year later. We will rebuild, We still are. 12 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 6: This is the La Fires one year later. 13 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:39,240 Speaker 2: One year later, and now your host Michael. 14 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 7: Monks KFIAM six forty five, everywhere on the iHeartRadio app 15 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:48,280 Speaker 7: This is La Fires one year later. I'm Michael Monks 16 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:52,080 Speaker 7: from KFI News. It has been one year since powerful 17 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:56,720 Speaker 7: Santa Ana winds blew across extremely dry conditions in southern California, 18 00:00:56,840 --> 00:01:01,320 Speaker 7: strengthening multiple wildfires, including two that would leave a swath 19 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:05,360 Speaker 7: of devastation in two parts of La County, essentially erasing 20 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 7: Pacific Palisades and Altadena. There were warnings for days leading 21 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:12,759 Speaker 7: up to this event. The conditions were ripe for destruction, 22 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:18,160 Speaker 7: no rain, high winds. As KFI was broadcasting January seventh, 23 00:01:18,319 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 7: twenty twenty five, the initial reports came in slowly. 24 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:26,399 Speaker 8: We got reports out of the Santa Monica area. We've 25 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:30,040 Speaker 8: got a brush fire in the Palisades Highlands right now. 26 00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:33,360 Speaker 8: You can see the smoke. Not sure about the size 27 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:36,160 Speaker 8: of this baby. They're usually quick to step to those 28 00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:38,360 Speaker 8: there near the Palisades. 29 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:39,880 Speaker 7: But it didn't take long for the severity of the 30 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:41,319 Speaker 7: situation to take hold. 31 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:45,040 Speaker 8: We now have a fire, Palisades fire is what they're 32 00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:45,560 Speaker 8: calling it. 33 00:01:45,560 --> 00:01:48,360 Speaker 7: It started small in the Palisades, but with the conditions, 34 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 7: the fire was poised to grow quickly. 35 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:54,360 Speaker 8: This thing is living up to its potential, they say. 36 00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:58,160 Speaker 8: Right now, the crews on the ground are furiously engaged 37 00:01:58,200 --> 00:01:59,280 Speaker 8: in structure protection. 38 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:00,640 Speaker 7: And then it grew even more. 39 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:03,720 Speaker 8: The latest is that they're seeing spotting ahead of this 40 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:07,200 Speaker 8: thing a mile to three quarters of a mile out, 41 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 8: which was the absolute fear. When you're thinking about the 42 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:13,919 Speaker 8: winds and the gusts that are coming with this wind event, 43 00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:16,760 Speaker 8: that'll take a fire and carry it and keep carrying 44 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:17,400 Speaker 8: it well. 45 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:21,400 Speaker 9: And that's well. I mean there's a couple thousand homes 46 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:24,320 Speaker 9: well within that range. People who were listening started to 47 00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:27,440 Speaker 9: call into KFI and the early moments of the wildfires 48 00:02:27,480 --> 00:02:30,160 Speaker 9: to tell host Gary and Shannon what they were witnessing. 49 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 8: Caesar works at Sunset Smash and joins us. Now, Caesar 50 00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:36,040 Speaker 8: crazy over there right now. 51 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:38,960 Speaker 6: I bet it is very concerning at this point because 52 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:42,840 Speaker 6: there's black smuk, it seems like there's still in the area, 53 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:44,040 Speaker 6: and everyone. 54 00:02:43,760 --> 00:02:46,400 Speaker 10: Out of here is just concern about what was going on. 55 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:51,800 Speaker 7: Taking picture and then everyone's fears quickly became reality. A 56 00:02:51,840 --> 00:02:54,480 Speaker 7: woman calling into the John Cobalt Show was stuck in 57 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 7: a traffic jam of people fleeing the palisades. 58 00:02:57,320 --> 00:03:00,280 Speaker 4: There's a palm tree on fire. So like we're kind 59 00:03:00,280 --> 00:03:03,880 Speaker 4: of all sitting here in the car and watching. I 60 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:05,960 Speaker 4: mean it's like fifty feet away. 61 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:09,960 Speaker 6: I think, oh, that's that's really frightening. 62 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:13,359 Speaker 4: It's really frightening. It's really really frightening. 63 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:16,240 Speaker 6: And you can't get away from it, no. 64 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:18,400 Speaker 4: Because we're more locked in. It's kind of like, you know, 65 00:03:19,560 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 4: we see those terrible movies where everybody's running from something 66 00:03:22,639 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 4: and all the cars are stuck. That's kind of how 67 00:03:24,800 --> 00:03:27,600 Speaker 4: it is. Yeah, Oh my gosh, Yeah, this tree is really. 68 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:31,839 Speaker 6: It's on the corner or on the in the Median. 69 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:38,040 Speaker 4: On Palisades Drive and sunset directly on the corner. There's 70 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 4: a and I don't know if you can hear all 71 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:40,920 Speaker 4: the honkings. 72 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 11: I can, yeah, I saw on TV there was a palm. 73 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:47,080 Speaker 6: Tree in the median that was. 74 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:49,640 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's right now. I just I just don't know, 75 00:03:49,720 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 4: Like people are getting out of their cars now, what 76 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:05,160 Speaker 4: if you think, yes, yes, all. 77 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:06,680 Speaker 6: Right, go okay okay. 78 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:11,720 Speaker 7: Hours later, the fire and Eaton Canyon consumed Alta Dina, 79 00:04:12,040 --> 00:04:16,360 Speaker 7: the sounds of heavy flames with the entire blocks explosions 80 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:20,480 Speaker 7: echoing through the canyons. Terrified residents of the Palisades and 81 00:04:20,520 --> 00:04:24,160 Speaker 7: Altadina and other affected communities ran for their lives and 82 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:30,480 Speaker 7: watched in horror as their neighborhoods disappeared. It's really hard 83 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:33,240 Speaker 7: to process what what a town that's been decidated by 84 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:33,960 Speaker 7: fire looks like. 85 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:36,720 Speaker 12: I knew that, even though it's much closer than I've 86 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 12: ever seen before with all these fires, especially when I'm 87 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 12: you know, in the middle of Hollywood, it doesn't really 88 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:44,240 Speaker 12: feel like, oh, that is going to happen right here, 89 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:46,159 Speaker 12: until all of a sudden, I go out on the 90 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:47,640 Speaker 12: balcony and they're playing. 91 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 2: On the side of hill. 92 00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:51,760 Speaker 6: This is really challenging for firefighters to engage the fire. 93 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:55,000 Speaker 11: Mother nature is basically a blow court right now, and 94 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:58,640 Speaker 11: we are prioritizing life safety and saving instructions where we can. 95 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:01,560 Speaker 4: And my husband saw it was maybe five feet high, 96 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:02,240 Speaker 4: and then the. 97 00:05:02,279 --> 00:05:04,080 Speaker 2: Gusts came and I just blew up. 98 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:06,839 Speaker 4: We haven't had any rain in the mountains so dry. 99 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:09,919 Speaker 13: It'll just go on a buff You look left and 100 00:05:09,960 --> 00:05:12,560 Speaker 13: there's nothing, and then you look right and it's perfectly fine. 101 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:15,960 Speaker 13: It's really weird. But I went back past Methodist preschool 102 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:17,880 Speaker 13: and it was I've never seen anything like that. It 103 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:19,680 Speaker 13: was in gulf and flames. It was so much scary. 104 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:23,120 Speaker 7: I reported from this neighborhood in Altadena that was reduced 105 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:23,640 Speaker 7: to rubble. 106 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 14: I'm standing in front of the mari Closa town Homes 107 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:40,000 Speaker 14: for rent. This sign has no damage to it at all, whatsoever. 108 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:44,560 Speaker 14: Mere feet behind the sign advertising the town homes. There 109 00:05:44,600 --> 00:05:47,920 Speaker 14: are no town homes off They're burned to the ground. 110 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:50,640 Speaker 14: There is smoke coming off of the rubble that used 111 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:51,560 Speaker 14: to be these homes. 112 00:05:52,040 --> 00:05:55,640 Speaker 7: In the end, more than thirty people were dead, thousands 113 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:59,320 Speaker 7: of buildings lost, and a total cost of destruction estimated. 114 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:03,040 Speaker 7: It between a eleven and seventy six billion dollars, and 115 00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 7: a year later, the wounds are still raw and the 116 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:11,200 Speaker 7: scars remain. People are worried their communities will never bounce back. 117 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:14,159 Speaker 11: One year after they eat and fire devastated out the Dina. 118 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:18,440 Speaker 11: Rebuilding is beginning, but many lots remain bare. Victims who 119 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:20,960 Speaker 11: lost their homes have had to decide sell their land 120 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:24,159 Speaker 11: and leave, or stay and fight to rebuild. Kim Jones 121 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:27,640 Speaker 11: family made the tough decision to sell. An LLC bought 122 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:28,159 Speaker 11: their land. 123 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:31,880 Speaker 15: It's perfect timing for people to come over and so bad. 124 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:35,240 Speaker 11: Some victims claim a gold rush is underway by developers. 125 00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:37,560 Speaker 11: Chen U is staying and rebuilding. 126 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:42,040 Speaker 16: Everybody lives on the street have some type of feeling 127 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:43,200 Speaker 16: towards these special homes. 128 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 7: Some residents of the Palisades rallied on the anniversary, an 129 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:50,679 Speaker 7: event they called they let Us Burn. Jeremy Pidauer was there. 130 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:53,359 Speaker 16: It's not easy to look at the community that you 131 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:55,719 Speaker 16: love so much and see it burned to the ground. 132 00:06:56,279 --> 00:06:58,640 Speaker 16: It's a it's a hard reality to face. It's a 133 00:06:58,640 --> 00:07:00,719 Speaker 16: hard reality to understand the impact that that's had on 134 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:03,599 Speaker 16: your neighbors. It's a hard reality to know that so 135 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 16: many of them cannot afford to come back. About fifty 136 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:08,840 Speaker 16: percent of our community. I don't believe to move back. 137 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:10,920 Speaker 16: I don't think they have any chance of getting back 138 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:12,560 Speaker 16: here under any circumstances. 139 00:07:12,720 --> 00:07:16,680 Speaker 7: KFI News brings you La Fires one year later. We 140 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:19,560 Speaker 7: look at what's believed to have led to the devastation. Next, 141 00:07:19,560 --> 00:07:23,080 Speaker 7: a man charged with arson, purposely setting a fire on 142 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 7: New Year's Day, and a fire department accused of not 143 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:29,160 Speaker 7: addressing it fully resulting in the Palisades fire, and a 144 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:33,880 Speaker 7: utility sort of accepting responsibility for the eaten fire, and 145 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:37,960 Speaker 7: later the trauma and psychological damage suffered by affected residents. 146 00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 7: Federal lawmakers from outside California investigating the local and state response, 147 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:46,360 Speaker 7: and the challenge faced by people whose homes didn't burn 148 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:48,360 Speaker 7: down but are still unlivable. 149 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 1: You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand. 150 00:08:01,920 --> 00:08:05,680 Speaker 7: KFI AM six forty live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app. 151 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:08,760 Speaker 7: This is La Fires one year later. I'm Michael Monks 152 00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:12,600 Speaker 7: from KFI News. On this anniversary of the deadly, destructive, 153 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:16,840 Speaker 7: and devastating Wildfire's Governor Newsom has issued a proclamation declaring 154 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:20,040 Speaker 7: a day of remembrance, ordering flags at all state buildings 155 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:23,720 Speaker 7: to be flown at half staff. Newsom says, we recognize 156 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:27,160 Speaker 7: the resilience of survivors who continue to rebuild, often carrying 157 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 7: grief alongside hope. He says, California will not turn away. 158 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 7: We will continue to stand with these communities until recovery 159 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:37,800 Speaker 7: is complete, homes are rebuilt, and lives are restored as 160 00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:43,520 Speaker 7: fully as possible. Eli's response to the Palisades fire led 161 00:08:43,559 --> 00:08:45,960 Speaker 7: to criticism of Mayor Bass, who was in the African 162 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:48,959 Speaker 7: country of Ghana when the flames broke out, dispatched there 163 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:52,320 Speaker 7: by President Biden to attend the inauguration of the president there. 164 00:08:52,880 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 7: Bass in turn directed her own ire at LA Fire 165 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:59,720 Speaker 7: Chief Kristen Crowley, criticizing the fire department's leader and ultimately 166 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:00,640 Speaker 7: firing her. 167 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:04,360 Speaker 15: Acting in the best interest of Los Angeles public safety 168 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:07,920 Speaker 15: and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department. 169 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 15: I just met with Chief Crowley and removed her as 170 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:16,880 Speaker 15: fire chief. Our firefighters acted heroically during the Palisades fire, 171 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:20,200 Speaker 15: and they act heroically every single day. 172 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:21,800 Speaker 6: That is without question. 173 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:25,400 Speaker 15: Bringing new leadership to the fire department is what they 174 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:29,320 Speaker 15: and the people of Los Angeles deserve. As you know, 175 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 15: I have called for a full investigation of everything leading 176 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:37,920 Speaker 15: up to January seventh. A necessary step to the investigation 177 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:42,280 Speaker 15: was the President of the Fire Commission telling Chief Crowley 178 00:09:42,600 --> 00:09:46,400 Speaker 15: to do an after action report on the fires. The 179 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:51,199 Speaker 15: fire chief refused. We all know that a thousand firefighters 180 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:54,040 Speaker 15: that could have been on duty on the morning the 181 00:09:54,040 --> 00:09:58,920 Speaker 15: fires broke were instead sent home on Chief Crowley's watch. 182 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 15: His actions required hr removal. 183 00:10:02,559 --> 00:10:04,839 Speaker 7: Crowley appealed to the city council to keep her job, 184 00:10:04,840 --> 00:10:07,520 Speaker 7: but they voted to support the mayor's decision. Following the 185 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:10,679 Speaker 7: appointment of an interim Chief, Bass chose how May Moore 186 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:13,720 Speaker 7: for the permanent job. In the interim, we learned a 187 00:10:13,800 --> 00:10:17,559 Speaker 7: significant development into the potential calls of the Palisades fire. 188 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:21,360 Speaker 7: Betteral authorities announced the arrest of an uber driver, Jonathan 189 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 7: rindernackt in the accused of starting an earlier fire on purpose. 190 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:28,560 Speaker 7: That fire was known as the Lockman fire. Reported just 191 00:10:28,679 --> 00:10:32,320 Speaker 7: after midnight on New Year's Day, First Assistant US Attorney 192 00:10:32,360 --> 00:10:35,440 Speaker 7: Bill A. Saley announced the arrest and the alleged connection 193 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 7: between the two fires. 194 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:41,880 Speaker 17: Although firefighters suppressed the blaze, the fire continued to smolder 195 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:47,080 Speaker 17: and burn underground within the root structure of the dense vegetation, 196 00:10:48,679 --> 00:10:52,880 Speaker 17: so that fire started on January first, and it smoldered 197 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:57,440 Speaker 17: underground for about a week until on January seventh, heavy 198 00:10:57,520 --> 00:11:02,760 Speaker 17: wins caused this underground fire to surface and spread above ground, 199 00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:08,240 Speaker 17: causing what became known as the Palisades Fired, one of 200 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:11,840 Speaker 17: the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles City history. 201 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:15,280 Speaker 7: The Only Times later reported it had obtained text messages 202 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:19,000 Speaker 7: from LA City firefighters who expressed their worries about leaving 203 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:22,400 Speaker 7: the scene of the Lachman fire too early. When him 204 00:11:22,600 --> 00:11:25,200 Speaker 7: Moore appeared before the city Council to be confirmed as 205 00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:28,280 Speaker 7: the new LAFD chief, he was asked about these messages, 206 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:30,599 Speaker 7: but also addressed it in his opening remarks. 207 00:11:30,720 --> 00:11:32,679 Speaker 18: At the same time, I recognized that we were at 208 00:11:32,720 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 18: a crossroads, not only for our department, but for public trust. 209 00:11:38,840 --> 00:11:42,679 Speaker 18: The media attention following the January wildfires has raised real concerns, 210 00:11:43,400 --> 00:11:47,680 Speaker 18: both within our ranks and across our city. I understand 211 00:11:47,679 --> 00:11:51,440 Speaker 18: these concerns. I believe that addressing them openly and honestly 212 00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:56,440 Speaker 18: is essential for restoring confidence in our leadership. That's why 213 00:11:56,440 --> 00:11:59,079 Speaker 18: I fully support Mayor Bass's request for a thorough, independent 214 00:11:59,160 --> 00:12:02,559 Speaker 18: investigation into the Apartment's response to the Lachman's fire. 215 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:05,560 Speaker 7: But days later that his first City Fire Commission meeting 216 00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 7: as Chief More criticized the media reports. 217 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:12,640 Speaker 3: Something that's been very frustrating for me as fire chief 218 00:12:13,720 --> 00:12:16,920 Speaker 3: and through this process, is to watch my friends in 219 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 3: the media smear our name and the work that our 220 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:24,640 Speaker 3: firefighters did to combat one of the most intense fires, 221 00:12:24,679 --> 00:12:29,079 Speaker 3: the Palisades, the wind driven monstrosity that it was that 222 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:32,320 Speaker 3: devastated a community in the city of Los Angeles. And 223 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:36,880 Speaker 3: our firefighters stood out there under these horrendous conditions fighting 224 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:40,200 Speaker 3: those fires, chasing flames as they were going three miles 225 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:44,679 Speaker 3: down wind, trying to save people and save their homes. 226 00:12:47,280 --> 00:12:49,160 Speaker 2: And the audacity for people to. 227 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:53,440 Speaker 18: Make comments and say that there's text messages out there 228 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:55,440 Speaker 18: that says that we did not put the fire out, 229 00:12:56,240 --> 00:12:57,920 Speaker 18: that we did not extinguish the fire. 230 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:02,720 Speaker 6: And I have yet to see any of those text messages. 231 00:13:02,960 --> 00:13:05,600 Speaker 7: And then this week, the week of the anniversary of 232 00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:08,880 Speaker 7: the fires, Chief More was at another City Fire Commission 233 00:13:08,880 --> 00:13:12,120 Speaker 7: meeting and acknowledged a potential connection between the Lockman and 234 00:13:12,160 --> 00:13:13,120 Speaker 7: Palisades fires. 235 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:15,960 Speaker 18: At the time, fire companies were directed to pick up 236 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:21,400 Speaker 18: hoose the department genuinely believed the fire was fully extinguished. 237 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:26,120 Speaker 18: That was based on the information, conditions, and procedures in 238 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:30,960 Speaker 18: place at that moment. That belief, excuse me, that belief 239 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:35,800 Speaker 18: guided the operational decision making that was made. However, the 240 00:13:35,840 --> 00:13:38,960 Speaker 18: outcome has made it incredibly clear that our mop up 241 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 18: and verification process needed to be stronger. 242 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:46,200 Speaker 2: We have to own that, and I do. 243 00:13:47,800 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 18: As a result, we've already changed our mop up procedures 244 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 18: and we formally incorporated the use of drone technology to 245 00:13:54,160 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 18: enhance post suppression verification, situational awareness and detection of residual 246 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 18: will heat. These changes are now in place to help 247 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 18: ensure that this will never happen again. Please understand, the 248 00:14:10,240 --> 00:14:13,360 Speaker 18: Palisades and Lockman fires were defining moments for this department. 249 00:14:14,920 --> 00:14:19,880 Speaker 18: They unfortunately exposed real limitations, limitations and system capacity during 250 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:24,320 Speaker 18: periods of extreme demand, including challenges related to staffing, availability, 251 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:29,000 Speaker 18: resource placement, and the speed at which conditions can change. 252 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 6: During in driven fiery. 253 00:14:30,040 --> 00:14:36,760 Speaker 18: Events, some resources were delayed, some response times were longer 254 00:14:36,920 --> 00:14:37,880 Speaker 18: than we strive for. 255 00:14:39,440 --> 00:14:41,680 Speaker 6: Our surge capacity was overstretched. 256 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:47,000 Speaker 18: These are difficult realities, but acknowledging them is essential to 257 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:53,000 Speaker 18: improving how we operate to be very clear, these challenges 258 00:14:53,040 --> 00:14:55,960 Speaker 18: were not the result of failures by our firefighters that 259 00:14:56,000 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 18: were on the line. They reflect leadership, decision jis, legacy systems, 260 00:15:02,840 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 18: and longstanding structural constraints that must evolve to meet today's 261 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:07,760 Speaker 18: risk environment. 262 00:15:07,880 --> 00:15:11,720 Speaker 7: More also acknowledged the lafd's after action report was deeply 263 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:17,600 Speaker 7: and repeatedly edited to protect leadership from criticism. As for 264 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:20,560 Speaker 7: the Eaten Fire, residents and now the federal government have 265 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:24,600 Speaker 7: accused Southern California Edison and its allegedly faulty power lines 266 00:15:24,640 --> 00:15:27,280 Speaker 7: for sparking that fire. The utility has been working with 267 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:31,040 Speaker 7: some residents offering potential settlements, but some residents and consumer 268 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:34,760 Speaker 7: rights advocates have argued so Cal Edison isn't offering enough. 269 00:15:35,240 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 7: The US Department of Justice has sued so Cal Edison 270 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:41,160 Speaker 7: for damages and costs related to the containment of the 271 00:15:41,200 --> 00:15:44,400 Speaker 7: Eaten Fire and the restoration of the land up next. 272 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:47,000 Speaker 7: One local family lost their home in the Eaten Fire 273 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:50,680 Speaker 7: and their business was devastated by another fire the same day, 274 00:15:50,760 --> 00:15:53,800 Speaker 7: the Sunset Fire that burned in the Hollywood Hills, and 275 00:15:53,880 --> 00:15:57,720 Speaker 7: later federal lawmakers from outside California turned their attention to 276 00:15:57,760 --> 00:16:01,360 Speaker 7: the wildfires of January twenty twenty twenty five as La 277 00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:04,120 Speaker 7: Fires one year later, continues. 278 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:07,800 Speaker 1: You're listening to KFI Am six forty on demand. 279 00:16:09,680 --> 00:16:12,680 Speaker 7: This is La Fires one year later, Michael Monks from 280 00:16:12,760 --> 00:16:16,120 Speaker 7: KFI News. When those wildfires broke out last January, we 281 00:16:16,320 --> 00:16:20,720 Speaker 7: all saw that destruction in the Eton and the Palisades fires, 282 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 7: but those weren't the only fires. One local family lost 283 00:16:24,640 --> 00:16:26,880 Speaker 7: their home and Alta Dina due to the Eaton fire 284 00:16:27,480 --> 00:16:30,600 Speaker 7: and saw serious damage to their business because of another. 285 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:34,240 Speaker 7: Limelight Liquors co owner Marina Schneider joins us to talk 286 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:37,040 Speaker 7: about that experience. Marina, thank you so much for taking 287 00:16:37,040 --> 00:16:38,200 Speaker 7: some time to talk with KFI. 288 00:16:38,760 --> 00:16:39,200 Speaker 19: Thank you too. 289 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:43,600 Speaker 7: This is a rare occasion to get to talk to 290 00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:49,200 Speaker 7: someone who suffered losses in multiple fires. Back in January. 291 00:16:49,800 --> 00:16:52,800 Speaker 7: You lost a home because of the Eton fire and 292 00:16:52,840 --> 00:16:55,560 Speaker 7: then the fire and Runyon Canyon around the same time. 293 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:58,160 Speaker 7: It was officially called the Sunset fire. That also damaged 294 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:02,880 Speaker 7: your business. Situation, just a terrible situation. Why don't we 295 00:17:02,920 --> 00:17:06,240 Speaker 7: start with your personal life and what happened to your 296 00:17:06,280 --> 00:17:08,560 Speaker 7: home in Alta Dina. Take us back to those terrible 297 00:17:08,640 --> 00:17:12,560 Speaker 7: days in January and the experience you had. 298 00:17:13,640 --> 00:17:17,960 Speaker 20: So yeah, starting from my home in Alta Diina, we 299 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:22,320 Speaker 20: came from work around six o'clock PM and the energy 300 00:17:22,480 --> 00:17:28,040 Speaker 20: was out and we were prepared because the wins were 301 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:32,159 Speaker 20: so high, like the wins were about one hundred miles 302 00:17:32,200 --> 00:17:36,320 Speaker 20: per hour, so we've been warned that we have to 303 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:43,560 Speaker 20: we might have to evacuate. And about seven o'clock it 304 00:17:43,760 --> 00:17:48,480 Speaker 20: was no warning yet, but we've been expecting the warning. 305 00:17:48,920 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 20: But around seven o'clock we look out of the window 306 00:17:52,720 --> 00:17:57,280 Speaker 20: and we saw the whole Itan Canyon was on a 307 00:17:57,400 --> 00:18:03,680 Speaker 20: fire in front of us, and it was really shocking because, 308 00:18:04,119 --> 00:18:07,520 Speaker 20: like I said, people didn't get the evocation order yet, 309 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 20: so we could not believe our eyes. It was about 310 00:18:12,119 --> 00:18:17,720 Speaker 20: maybe two minutes by car, so with the winds about 311 00:18:17,720 --> 00:18:21,439 Speaker 20: one hundred miles per hour, it could reach our house 312 00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:22,160 Speaker 20: in minutes. 313 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:26,280 Speaker 7: You were seeing this before you received any notifications that 314 00:18:26,320 --> 00:18:27,000 Speaker 7: you should. 315 00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:29,800 Speaker 20: Leave, yes, before. 316 00:18:30,280 --> 00:18:31,880 Speaker 6: That seems rather shocked. 317 00:18:32,520 --> 00:18:36,800 Speaker 20: Yes, it was shocking because we did not pack our 318 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:40,720 Speaker 20: things and we did not we could not take anything. 319 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:44,359 Speaker 20: We just had to open a door and run out, 320 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:49,359 Speaker 20: jump in our cars, and our daughter was with us 321 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 20: at that time, and we just took our computer and passports. 322 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:57,840 Speaker 20: We did not even have time to take anything at all? 323 00:18:58,200 --> 00:18:58,880 Speaker 2: Where did you go? 324 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:03,600 Speaker 20: So we drove like nowhere. We had like nowhere to go. 325 00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:08,040 Speaker 20: We don't have like we don't have another property or anything, 326 00:19:08,520 --> 00:19:11,679 Speaker 20: and we don't have a family here, but we have 327 00:19:11,800 --> 00:19:16,040 Speaker 20: a few friends and it happened. Then we are just 328 00:19:16,200 --> 00:19:20,800 Speaker 20: driving somewhere far away from the fire, and our friend 329 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:25,879 Speaker 20: the calling cars and he said, I saw it on news. 330 00:19:26,640 --> 00:19:29,359 Speaker 20: Would you want to come to my house and stay over? 331 00:19:30,160 --> 00:19:33,679 Speaker 20: And we said, of course yes, So we drove to 332 00:19:33,800 --> 00:19:38,520 Speaker 20: his house and in it was in the Studio city area, 333 00:19:38,840 --> 00:19:44,800 Speaker 20: and we stay overnight. And next day, like I said, 334 00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:50,040 Speaker 20: the fire happened in Ranyan Kanyon, Kenyan, which is close 335 00:19:50,160 --> 00:19:53,400 Speaker 20: to our store and close to the house where we 336 00:19:53,400 --> 00:19:58,680 Speaker 20: were staying. This is the Holly Hills, Yes, yes, this one. 337 00:20:00,040 --> 00:20:05,800 Speaker 20: So our friends started to park and they were planning 338 00:20:05,840 --> 00:20:10,000 Speaker 20: to evacuate, and we had to go somewhere else. 339 00:20:10,640 --> 00:20:11,080 Speaker 14: Wow. 340 00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:16,560 Speaker 20: But eventually our friends did not have to evacuate and 341 00:20:16,640 --> 00:20:17,760 Speaker 20: they stayed in the house. 342 00:20:18,080 --> 00:20:21,320 Speaker 7: I think it's hard for folks to remember, because we 343 00:20:21,359 --> 00:20:24,280 Speaker 7: do talk a lot about the devastation from the Eaten 344 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:27,240 Speaker 7: fire and the Palisades fire. Because of the aftermath that 345 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:30,439 Speaker 7: we can still very much. See Unfortunately, but when you 346 00:20:30,520 --> 00:20:34,560 Speaker 7: go back to those that week in January, there were 347 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:37,520 Speaker 7: a lot of fires and a lot of people were 348 00:20:37,560 --> 00:20:40,000 Speaker 7: sent running for their lives or at least for their 349 00:20:40,440 --> 00:20:43,920 Speaker 7: safety because of what was happening all across southern California. 350 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:47,120 Speaker 7: Now you had to do it twice back to back. 351 00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:49,720 Speaker 7: You had to leave your own home, you took shelter 352 00:20:49,800 --> 00:20:52,600 Speaker 7: with a friend, and then they had to leave. What 353 00:20:52,720 --> 00:20:54,600 Speaker 7: were you feeling in that moment. 354 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:59,439 Speaker 20: It was a total devastation because it was a feeling 355 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:01,160 Speaker 20: that nowhere to go. 356 00:21:01,600 --> 00:21:04,960 Speaker 7: So as you're making your way trying to find a 357 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:09,360 Speaker 7: place to just gather yourself, protect yourself, all of these 358 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:13,200 Speaker 7: fires popping up around the region. You own a business, 359 00:21:13,240 --> 00:21:17,960 Speaker 7: you and your husband, Alexander. You have owned Limelight Liquors 360 00:21:17,960 --> 00:21:21,800 Speaker 7: for a couple of decades now and it's close to 361 00:21:21,840 --> 00:21:26,439 Speaker 7: Hollywood and this has suffered as well. What can you 362 00:21:26,440 --> 00:21:28,680 Speaker 7: tell us about the situation with your business. 363 00:21:29,040 --> 00:21:32,560 Speaker 20: Yes next day after the fire, or when we've been 364 00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:35,600 Speaker 20: staying with our friends, we found out that there is 365 00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:40,479 Speaker 20: a Ranian knion fire by the store and we called 366 00:21:40,520 --> 00:21:45,240 Speaker 20: our employees because they've been working, and we said close 367 00:21:45,359 --> 00:21:49,919 Speaker 20: the store right now, don't even like risk your life, 368 00:21:50,520 --> 00:21:53,800 Speaker 20: just close it down and go home. And we've been 369 00:21:53,920 --> 00:21:58,159 Speaker 20: so worried that they would get home on time because 370 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:02,200 Speaker 20: the fire was spreading very quick to Hollywood Boulevard from 371 00:22:02,200 --> 00:22:08,840 Speaker 20: the Ranian Canyon. And then, like I said, it was 372 00:22:09,119 --> 00:22:12,439 Speaker 20: so much pollution and air. We had to open a 373 00:22:12,520 --> 00:22:16,520 Speaker 20: store next day for the people who didness ever couate, 374 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:20,800 Speaker 20: because still some of the people needed us and we 375 00:22:20,920 --> 00:22:25,720 Speaker 20: probably work. Yeah, we experienced the future loss loss in sales. 376 00:22:26,600 --> 00:22:32,320 Speaker 20: And we've been very worried about our community because they 377 00:22:32,400 --> 00:22:37,320 Speaker 20: had to stay in those apartments where the air was black. 378 00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:44,359 Speaker 20: The pollution was unimaginable, and we stayed. We decided not 379 00:22:44,520 --> 00:22:48,720 Speaker 20: to leave and stay with them and serve them as 380 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:53,560 Speaker 20: much as we can, and the pollution continue for a month. 381 00:22:54,080 --> 00:22:59,439 Speaker 20: It was really hard to breathe. And also for people 382 00:22:59,440 --> 00:23:01,520 Speaker 20: who live, not only for us. 383 00:23:01,720 --> 00:23:04,199 Speaker 7: It's been almost a year since all of this devastation. 384 00:23:05,200 --> 00:23:09,000 Speaker 7: What is life like for you now? 385 00:23:09,280 --> 00:23:14,760 Speaker 20: We actually we are arranging a place for now, the 386 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:21,159 Speaker 20: apartment in the Studio City. We are lucky that we 387 00:23:21,320 --> 00:23:25,320 Speaker 20: had insurance in a house, so our insurance is helping 388 00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:30,600 Speaker 20: us to pay the rent. And after all this devastation, 389 00:23:31,359 --> 00:23:35,720 Speaker 20: we thought like we would never go back to our tagina, 390 00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:43,920 Speaker 20: but eventually we decided we will rebuild because people started 391 00:23:43,960 --> 00:23:47,639 Speaker 20: to rebuild and they still have a little hope for 392 00:23:47,720 --> 00:23:54,160 Speaker 20: the future, and we are trying to do that right now. 393 00:23:57,200 --> 00:23:59,639 Speaker 7: Up next, they survived the fires, but now live with 394 00:23:59,680 --> 00:24:02,359 Speaker 7: a lad trauma and anxiety of the experience. 395 00:24:03,400 --> 00:24:06,840 Speaker 1: You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand. 396 00:24:11,119 --> 00:24:14,000 Speaker 7: This is LA Fire's one year leader on Michael Monks 397 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:17,679 Speaker 7: from KFI News. The insurance market in California can already 398 00:24:17,760 --> 00:24:21,560 Speaker 7: be challenging for homeowners, navigating limited opportunities that don't offer 399 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:25,560 Speaker 7: enough coverage, or policies that cost too much, or opting 400 00:24:25,600 --> 00:24:28,600 Speaker 7: for the state's Fair Plan, which customers say is a 401 00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:32,240 Speaker 7: bit of all those things, limited and expensive and not enough. 402 00:24:32,840 --> 00:24:34,600 Speaker 7: But in spite of that, it's become one of the 403 00:24:34,680 --> 00:24:38,440 Speaker 7: largest insurers in the state. The San Francisco Chronicle reported 404 00:24:38,480 --> 00:24:42,920 Speaker 7: recently Fair Plan policyholders must pay for an additional policy 405 00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:45,960 Speaker 7: it's called a difference in conditions in order to be 406 00:24:45,960 --> 00:24:49,200 Speaker 7: fully protected. More than two hundred thousand homeowners in the 407 00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:53,080 Speaker 7: state are doing so. The Chronicle report compared California to Nevada, 408 00:24:53,119 --> 00:24:57,840 Speaker 7: where insurance companies have stopped offering coverage for wildfires. Nevada 409 00:24:57,840 --> 00:25:00,600 Speaker 7: has no equivalent to California's Fair Plan, and often called 410 00:25:00,640 --> 00:25:04,280 Speaker 7: the insurance of last Resort. People affected by the wildfire's 411 00:25:04,320 --> 00:25:07,760 Speaker 7: last January and ones that happened earlier all across the 412 00:25:07,800 --> 00:25:11,240 Speaker 7: state know the difficulties of rebuilding, what insurance is difficult 413 00:25:11,280 --> 00:25:14,000 Speaker 7: to get, and when it doesn't cover enough when you 414 00:25:14,080 --> 00:25:16,960 Speaker 7: have it. California has had to take similar actions so 415 00:25:17,000 --> 00:25:21,480 Speaker 7: homeowners could have insurance protection against earthquakes. The insurance situation 416 00:25:21,600 --> 00:25:24,240 Speaker 7: in La County since January last year has been so 417 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:28,040 Speaker 7: dire the Board of Supervisors has opened a civil investigation 418 00:25:28,200 --> 00:25:31,720 Speaker 7: into State Farm, saying the company's handling of wildfire claims 419 00:25:31,720 --> 00:25:35,040 Speaker 7: has been wrought with delays, under payments, and denials of 420 00:25:35,160 --> 00:25:38,240 Speaker 7: legitimate claims. It's another factor of the high cost of 421 00:25:38,280 --> 00:25:41,760 Speaker 7: living in California and another source of worry for homeowners 422 00:25:41,840 --> 00:25:47,760 Speaker 7: inside and outside of burn zones. The experience of last 423 00:25:47,840 --> 00:25:52,879 Speaker 7: January's wildfires have scarred the land and survivors. Psyche kfi's 424 00:25:52,880 --> 00:25:54,640 Speaker 7: Eileen Gonzalez has that story. 425 00:25:54,720 --> 00:25:57,639 Speaker 21: It was a terrifying experience, and a year of healing 426 00:25:57,720 --> 00:26:00,960 Speaker 21: hasn't taken away the emotional scars. Of the day, Seventy 427 00:26:00,960 --> 00:26:04,159 Speaker 21: seven year old Baki Cahill lost her home and nearly 428 00:26:04,200 --> 00:26:04,840 Speaker 21: her life. 429 00:26:04,960 --> 00:26:09,000 Speaker 19: I wake up very early at you know, three four 430 00:26:09,040 --> 00:26:14,560 Speaker 19: in the morning, and immediately it's like fear. It's a 431 00:26:14,600 --> 00:26:18,280 Speaker 19: feeling in my chest. Maybe that's what they call a 432 00:26:18,320 --> 00:26:19,120 Speaker 19: panic attack. 433 00:26:19,520 --> 00:26:22,240 Speaker 21: Baki was living in the part of Altadina that didn't 434 00:26:22,240 --> 00:26:25,800 Speaker 21: receive an evacuation warning, but fortunately her daughter was tracking 435 00:26:25,880 --> 00:26:27,080 Speaker 21: the fire from across town. 436 00:26:27,520 --> 00:26:30,440 Speaker 19: My daughter called me at three in the morning and said, Mom, Mom, 437 00:26:30,560 --> 00:26:33,280 Speaker 19: wake up. She said, go outside, go look. 438 00:26:33,520 --> 00:26:37,000 Speaker 21: Through the thick smoke. Bachi realized she needed to leave quickly. 439 00:26:37,320 --> 00:26:38,919 Speaker 19: There were embers in the air. 440 00:26:39,119 --> 00:26:42,760 Speaker 22: I mean there were pieces of charcoal rolling down the 441 00:26:42,800 --> 00:26:44,359 Speaker 22: street on fire. 442 00:26:44,560 --> 00:26:46,760 Speaker 21: She took her animals and left in the nick of time. 443 00:26:46,960 --> 00:26:49,399 Speaker 21: An hour later, her house had burned to the ground, 444 00:26:49,800 --> 00:26:53,119 Speaker 21: a lifetime of memories incinerated. But for many neighbors a 445 00:26:53,200 --> 00:26:54,240 Speaker 21: loss was much greater. 446 00:26:54,840 --> 00:26:59,040 Speaker 19: It's terrifying. And then to find out that eighteen people 447 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:03,520 Speaker 19: in your immediate neighborhood burned to death. They were either 448 00:27:03,720 --> 00:27:08,399 Speaker 19: asleep in their beds or unable to walk invalids. 449 00:27:08,920 --> 00:27:12,120 Speaker 21: While those who lost loved ones, homes and communities bear 450 00:27:12,160 --> 00:27:15,800 Speaker 21: the biggest emotional wounds. Even those who weren't directly impacted 451 00:27:15,800 --> 00:27:19,040 Speaker 21: by the fires may have lasting anxiety. Mary Stark's, a 452 00:27:19,040 --> 00:27:23,119 Speaker 21: clinical psychologist, says although her family safely evacuated from smoke 453 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:26,160 Speaker 21: in Venice, her six year old daughter named fire as 454 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:27,040 Speaker 21: her biggest fear. 455 00:27:27,440 --> 00:27:30,359 Speaker 10: Number one was that a fire was going to happen again. 456 00:27:30,640 --> 00:27:34,919 Speaker 10: I didn't think it was still in her sinking. It's 457 00:27:34,960 --> 00:27:38,119 Speaker 10: definitely still on her mind, and I think it's impacting 458 00:27:38,160 --> 00:27:39,920 Speaker 10: her more than I think it is. 459 00:27:40,160 --> 00:27:42,920 Speaker 21: Michelle Bellamy, a single mother of three who lost their 460 00:27:42,920 --> 00:27:45,720 Speaker 21: home and all their belongings in the Palisades fire, says 461 00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:49,160 Speaker 21: it was extremely helpful for her family to receive therapy 462 00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:50,879 Speaker 21: sessions shortly after the fire. 463 00:27:51,040 --> 00:27:53,439 Speaker 5: The therapist was great, and you said, you know, when 464 00:27:53,520 --> 00:27:59,160 Speaker 5: you go through things like this traumatizing things you can 465 00:27:59,760 --> 00:28:02,480 Speaker 5: share is to you know, go through a process of 466 00:28:02,520 --> 00:28:04,560 Speaker 5: healing like you are through a case therapy sessions in 467 00:28:04,600 --> 00:28:07,159 Speaker 5: the way that you're parenting and talking with them so 468 00:28:07,200 --> 00:28:11,320 Speaker 5: that they're went through some trauma, but they're not traumatized. 469 00:28:11,880 --> 00:28:14,320 Speaker 21: Finding a new home, a new school, new clothes, and 470 00:28:14,359 --> 00:28:17,760 Speaker 21: adjusting to life without the familiarity of home or belongings 471 00:28:17,840 --> 00:28:20,680 Speaker 21: was difficult for her family, but says she sees it's 472 00:28:20,680 --> 00:28:23,160 Speaker 21: been even harder for some of her friends and neighbors. 473 00:28:23,400 --> 00:28:26,200 Speaker 5: People are still hurting and they're mad, and they're frustrated, 474 00:28:26,200 --> 00:28:29,480 Speaker 5: and they're sad, and they're still grieving the things that 475 00:28:29,520 --> 00:28:33,520 Speaker 5: they lost or you know, unfortunately the people or the pets, 476 00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:37,440 Speaker 5: or just the actual palm, the community, all those things. 477 00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:40,440 Speaker 21: With the anniversary of the fires, the emotional impact can 478 00:28:40,480 --> 00:28:44,040 Speaker 21: start to feel raw. As a psychotherapist, Mary says there 479 00:28:44,040 --> 00:28:46,520 Speaker 21: are signs to watch for when they're. 480 00:28:46,120 --> 00:28:50,440 Speaker 10: Having angry outbursts and they can't explain why, when they're 481 00:28:50,520 --> 00:28:54,760 Speaker 10: feeling sad or having troubled concentrating, if they're feeling like 482 00:28:54,840 --> 00:28:59,720 Speaker 10: a little numb or detached, or they're arguing with their 483 00:28:59,720 --> 00:29:02,720 Speaker 10: love ones more and they don't know why. Those they're 484 00:29:02,760 --> 00:29:05,440 Speaker 10: all signs to check in with each other and check 485 00:29:05,480 --> 00:29:06,520 Speaker 10: in with a professional. 486 00:29:06,720 --> 00:29:06,920 Speaker 14: Well. 487 00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:09,440 Speaker 21: Baki is now settled in a new home and also 488 00:29:09,480 --> 00:29:13,880 Speaker 21: receives counseling. She says she's realized grief is an ongoing process. 489 00:29:14,320 --> 00:29:16,600 Speaker 22: It comes in waves, and there are times when I 490 00:29:16,600 --> 00:29:19,760 Speaker 22: can just sort of swallow and not cry, and then 491 00:29:19,800 --> 00:29:24,640 Speaker 22: there are times where I just can't I just because 492 00:29:24,680 --> 00:29:26,120 Speaker 22: you feel so helpless you know. 493 00:29:26,440 --> 00:29:29,520 Speaker 21: Professionals suggest the anniversary of the fires is a good 494 00:29:29,560 --> 00:29:32,760 Speaker 21: time to check in with family, friends, kids, and neighbors 495 00:29:32,800 --> 00:29:35,520 Speaker 21: to see how they're coping. They say trauma can be 496 00:29:35,560 --> 00:29:40,720 Speaker 21: overcome and healing can happen with time, resilience, compassion, and support. 497 00:29:41,080 --> 00:29:44,800 Speaker 7: Ailein Gonzalez k if I use. Researchers at UCLA's Fielding 498 00:29:44,840 --> 00:29:47,600 Speaker 7: School of Public Health have found some of the houses 499 00:29:47,600 --> 00:29:50,719 Speaker 7: inside the wildfire burn zones had higher levels of what 500 00:29:50,760 --> 00:29:55,000 Speaker 7: they call volatile organic compounds while the fires were burning 501 00:29:55,080 --> 00:29:59,280 Speaker 7: last January. They say their finding suggests smoke impacted building 502 00:29:59,280 --> 00:30:04,440 Speaker 7: materials household items continued releasing harmful pollutants over time. The 503 00:30:04,480 --> 00:30:07,480 Speaker 7: director of the research says their findings mean there is 504 00:30:07,520 --> 00:30:11,840 Speaker 7: a need for more interventions to minimize indoor exposures during 505 00:30:11,880 --> 00:30:14,960 Speaker 7: the recovery phase. They say there are still concerns about 506 00:30:15,000 --> 00:30:18,160 Speaker 7: indoor air quality after a wildfire and the potential for 507 00:30:18,240 --> 00:30:24,920 Speaker 7: prolonged exposure leading to significant health impacts. In our second hour, 508 00:30:25,040 --> 00:30:28,840 Speaker 7: federal lawmakers from outside California have held hearings on the 509 00:30:28,960 --> 00:30:33,320 Speaker 7: LA wildfires. Republican US Senator Rick Scott from Florida joins 510 00:30:33,400 --> 00:30:37,040 Speaker 7: US and some whose homes stayed standing in the wildfire 511 00:30:37,120 --> 00:30:39,960 Speaker 7: zones were called lucky. They say that couldn't be farther 512 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:43,640 Speaker 7: from the truth, as returning home has proven especially difficult. 513 00:30:44,120 --> 00:30:48,080 Speaker 7: KFI News La Fires one year later, continues just ahead 514 00:30:48,320 --> 00:30:50,320 Speaker 7: here on KFI AM six 515 00:30:50,440 --> 00:30:58,280 Speaker 1: Forty, KFI AM six forty on demand