I'm in Eagle Rock, just south of the evacuation zones. It's Thursday and I'm still not unpacked. Yesterday morning, we were ready to leave, put the cats and dogs in the back of one car, everything else in the Vanagon. But the red glow and the embers never came over the hill. So we're OK. Not so the uncomfortably many friends and connections who are suddenly homeless. So next step is to figure out how best to help. The white ash dots the backyard, along with oak branches and debris from the winds. The air is still thick. The sunlight is eery mustard yellow. Maybe I'll unpack now. But Mt. Wilson is still burning...
Local TV (antenna, cable, web, or YT) has been a godsend. Kudos for catching the Soboroff broadcast; I'm speechless/wordless... Quibble about some of the coverage and the tone, but they've been on the air around the clock. They broke the Runyon fire last night and the Studio City flareup and were looking down from their choppers as both fires got doused. They were on Sunset in the Palisades as the Chase bank burned in real time over the course of an hour. Blah Blah local talking heads no more: these familiar faces have been on the front lines and backing it up in-studio for the last 72 hours. It's heroic. There should be one big special Pulitzer for all of them together.
Both Soboroff and Katy Tur of MSNBC have done excellent jobs of giving context about the character of the Palisades neighborhood as well as giving displaced residents an opportunity to express what they're going through. I appreciate their professionalism.
Also in eagle rock and I was in the same boat until late last night of still being packed from preparing to evacuate as I had planned a trip outside of state months ago and somehow, miraculously, my flight took off without much issue except a minor delay despite all the chaos. The ash fell like snowflakes as I walked to my car. A car was still stuck on my street where a tree smashed into it. We are living in surreal times. I hope you stay safe and eagle rock continues to remain out of harm’s way.
I feel ditto. I was not going to get reliable info from my normal online resources & the LA times is awful in a crisis, so at first I was in despair for our information ecosystem. But I figured out, for the first time, how to stream the local news & they were outstanding (extra props to KCAL). And Watch Duty (culled from local & federal govt & infrastructure resources, I assume) has been a literal lifesaver. It may be too early to make this assessment, but I also feel very good about how our govt has communicated with us & how organized the evacuation alerts have been. I'm not even mad I got a boil water alert in error from the LAFD.
Based on the past few days, if I had to choose between Watch Duty and everything else combined I would pick WD. Local news was very dramatic and engaging to watch, but WD was faster and more rooted in what was happening/changing in the moment (new fire here, new evacuation zones). What I didn’t need from local news was Caruso speculating about the institutional reasons for the fire, weather people explaining that “high wind” means a high level of wind.
I spent most of Tuesday night on Reddit live threads, trying to point confused folks to reliable info. Lots of people commenting “I’m here, should I evacuate?” or “my family member lives here, do I need to go get them?” which tells me that a lot of just don’t know where to turn anymore.
Yes, I'm in Orange County (not at all in danger, but emotionally invested in and concerned about the places and people impacted). My husband and I got some information about what was happening from Threads and Bluesky, but we watched CBS and ABC the whole evening on Tuesday, and then it was great knowing I could turn it on and get some immediate, reliable information throughout Wednesday. Also, I am really glad I didn't share the budget rumor that was floating around. I almost did because it felt true, but ultimately the people sharing it weren't known or reliable news sources.
I try to remember my rule of thumb which is whenever you hear or read something online that arouses a strong negative emotion, be immediately skeptical, and this is another example of that. 👍
Thank you for your kind words about the local broadcasters.
I've been watching them stream from many miles away in the Midwest and they've been doing a really good job in very difficult circumstances. Wildfires are one of the toughest breaking news stories to provide continuous coverage of because of how fast they move, the inherent danger to the journalists and gear and additional issues, such as the very noxious smoke. (And if you live in or near the affected area, you're always fearful about your own home and family)
KCAL and the others have really been on top of things and, for the most part, have always given the story the depth and seriousness it deserves.
Thanks for mentioning the Watch Duty app. I wasn't familiar with it. I grew up in OC and LA so these fires hurt my heart as I see the devastation in places I once lived, worked, or frequented. I now live in San Luis Obispo, another fire-prone area. It is always important to have up-to-the-minute information about the status of wildfires. I fear these fire storms could happen anywhere in the West given similar conditions.
Kudos and a big fat thank you to Watch Duty because last night right after 6:00 I was able to give my son who lives near Runyon Canyon a heads-up. VERY useful. The local news did a pretty good job but you have to be in front of the TV.
I have a dear friend who lost everythong in her 25-year rental in Altadena and her cat. It's devastating for so many.
Something that I found missing from coverage was the contact info to start the overwhelming process of recovery.from this devastation.
I'm in Eagle Rock, just south of the evacuation zones. It's Thursday and I'm still not unpacked. Yesterday morning, we were ready to leave, put the cats and dogs in the back of one car, everything else in the Vanagon. But the red glow and the embers never came over the hill. So we're OK. Not so the uncomfortably many friends and connections who are suddenly homeless. So next step is to figure out how best to help. The white ash dots the backyard, along with oak branches and debris from the winds. The air is still thick. The sunlight is eery mustard yellow. Maybe I'll unpack now. But Mt. Wilson is still burning...
Local TV (antenna, cable, web, or YT) has been a godsend. Kudos for catching the Soboroff broadcast; I'm speechless/wordless... Quibble about some of the coverage and the tone, but they've been on the air around the clock. They broke the Runyon fire last night and the Studio City flareup and were looking down from their choppers as both fires got doused. They were on Sunset in the Palisades as the Chase bank burned in real time over the course of an hour. Blah Blah local talking heads no more: these familiar faces have been on the front lines and backing it up in-studio for the last 72 hours. It's heroic. There should be one big special Pulitzer for all of them together.
Both Soboroff and Katy Tur of MSNBC have done excellent jobs of giving context about the character of the Palisades neighborhood as well as giving displaced residents an opportunity to express what they're going through. I appreciate their professionalism.
Also in eagle rock and I was in the same boat until late last night of still being packed from preparing to evacuate as I had planned a trip outside of state months ago and somehow, miraculously, my flight took off without much issue except a minor delay despite all the chaos. The ash fell like snowflakes as I walked to my car. A car was still stuck on my street where a tree smashed into it. We are living in surreal times. I hope you stay safe and eagle rock continues to remain out of harm’s way.
Does MSNBC hire only folks who grew up in Pacific Palisades? I don't know what that life is like and they don't understand mine.
I feel ditto. I was not going to get reliable info from my normal online resources & the LA times is awful in a crisis, so at first I was in despair for our information ecosystem. But I figured out, for the first time, how to stream the local news & they were outstanding (extra props to KCAL). And Watch Duty (culled from local & federal govt & infrastructure resources, I assume) has been a literal lifesaver. It may be too early to make this assessment, but I also feel very good about how our govt has communicated with us & how organized the evacuation alerts have been. I'm not even mad I got a boil water alert in error from the LAFD.
Right? Better too much information than not enough. I think
Based on the past few days, if I had to choose between Watch Duty and everything else combined I would pick WD. Local news was very dramatic and engaging to watch, but WD was faster and more rooted in what was happening/changing in the moment (new fire here, new evacuation zones). What I didn’t need from local news was Caruso speculating about the institutional reasons for the fire, weather people explaining that “high wind” means a high level of wind.
I spent most of Tuesday night on Reddit live threads, trying to point confused folks to reliable info. Lots of people commenting “I’m here, should I evacuate?” or “my family member lives here, do I need to go get them?” which tells me that a lot of just don’t know where to turn anymore.
Lastly, please donate to Watch Duty if you can!
Another friend also just told me they thought Watch Duty + Reddit was the power combo!
Yes, I'm in Orange County (not at all in danger, but emotionally invested in and concerned about the places and people impacted). My husband and I got some information about what was happening from Threads and Bluesky, but we watched CBS and ABC the whole evening on Tuesday, and then it was great knowing I could turn it on and get some immediate, reliable information throughout Wednesday. Also, I am really glad I didn't share the budget rumor that was floating around. I almost did because it felt true, but ultimately the people sharing it weren't known or reliable news sources.
I try to remember my rule of thumb which is whenever you hear or read something online that arouses a strong negative emotion, be immediately skeptical, and this is another example of that. 👍
Thank you for your kind words about the local broadcasters.
I've been watching them stream from many miles away in the Midwest and they've been doing a really good job in very difficult circumstances. Wildfires are one of the toughest breaking news stories to provide continuous coverage of because of how fast they move, the inherent danger to the journalists and gear and additional issues, such as the very noxious smoke. (And if you live in or near the affected area, you're always fearful about your own home and family)
KCAL and the others have really been on top of things and, for the most part, have always given the story the depth and seriousness it deserves.
I’m just glad Biden is still president-the work and money will be effectively spent and disbursed!!!
Same.
Thanks for mentioning the Watch Duty app. I wasn't familiar with it. I grew up in OC and LA so these fires hurt my heart as I see the devastation in places I once lived, worked, or frequented. I now live in San Luis Obispo, another fire-prone area. It is always important to have up-to-the-minute information about the status of wildfires. I fear these fire storms could happen anywhere in the West given similar conditions.
Kudos and a big fat thank you to Watch Duty because last night right after 6:00 I was able to give my son who lives near Runyon Canyon a heads-up. VERY useful. The local news did a pretty good job but you have to be in front of the TV.
I have a dear friend who lost everythong in her 25-year rental in Altadena and her cat. It's devastating for so many.
Something that I found missing from coverage was the contact info to start the overwhelming process of recovery.from this devastation.