Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

Thousands of homes were destroyed by recent wildfires. Here's what it's like to clean one up.

A worker sprays down debris before a claw truck picks it up at a home burned down in the Woolsey Fire in Malibu.
A worker sprays down debris before a claw truck picks it up at a home burned down in the Woolsey Fire in Malibu.
(
Emily Elena Dugdale/KPCC
)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Listen 1:56
Thousands of homes were destroyed by recent wildfires. Here's what it's like to clean one up.

It’s been four months since the Woolsey Fire broke out. 1,600 structures were destroyed and most are lying in ruins. Homeowners are undergoing the arduous task of cleaning up -  one option is using the state debris removal program through the Office of Emergency Services. 

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today