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Listen • 43:19Listen • 43:19LA Wildfires Special Coverage with Jacob Margolis: What to expect when recovering fire losses and rebuildingLAist Science Reporter Jacob Margolis looks at what Angelenos affected by the LA wildfires can expect as they try to rebuild their lives. In this hour, Margolis turns to experts about what to know about housing options, recouping losses, and making homes and neighborhoods more fire resistant. And he also gets insights from a 2017 Tubbs Fire wildfire survivor about the recovery and healing process after losing everything.
Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency!
Guests:
David Wagner, LAist Housing Reporter
Alex Robertson, lawyer with Robertson & Associates, LLP
David Shew, former Cal Fire chief, Napa County Fire Administrator
Stephanie Pincetl, Professor at UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and Director of the California Center for Sustainable Communities
Melissa Geissinger, a survivor of the 2017 Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa. https://melissageissinger.com/
About The Big Burn
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(he/him)
As the world enters a new age of wildfires, science reporter Jacob Margolis dives deep into personal stories that illuminate the history of how we got here, why we keep screwing things up, and what we can do to survive and maybe even thrive while the world around us burns.
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Get Prepped
We all need to be concerned — and prepared.
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Important note: The map only shows the fire hazard in areas the state is responsible for taking care of. -
Every day is fire season. Your survival guide to getting ready right nowProtect your pets, your belongings, your house, your community, yourself.
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With California facing a year-round fire season, particulate matter matters.
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Some helpful suggestions on how to protect yourself from ash and particles from the fire.
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Hikers, please don't get trapped by a wildfire. But if you do, here are some tips to help you survive.
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides valuable assistance to disaster survivors, but it is limited in scope and it's good to know that before a fire or earthquake strikes.
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Investigations
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An investigation by the California Newsroom finds that unreliable agency data limits wildfire prevention accountability.
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The U.S. Forest Service knows it needs to set prescribed burns on thousands of acres in Big Bear every year. This year, it's only burned 20.
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Over the last year and a half, almost four dozen Cal Fire firefighters have suffered from heat illness during training, and since 2003 five have died.
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A California Newsroom investigation finds that the department's missteps potentially leave the state at greater risk of catastrophic fires.
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The governor dramatically overstated the amount of fire prevention work performed on "priority projects" and cut Cal Fire’s mitigation budget by $150 million.
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Hint: follow the money.
Wildfires Explained
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California’s wildfires have gotten increasingly destructive and deadly. That's been underscored with destructive fires kicking off 2025.
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Not all emergency agencies use the same language. Here’s your rundown on how evacuation orders work
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Disturbed by unrelenting heat waves, massive wildfires, disappearing beaches, and worsening droughts? Here’s what you need to know.
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Important to know: Containment does not mean a fire is out — or that the danger is over.
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You have questions and we have years of experience answering them.
