05 Jan 2026
44m

Investigating The Great Los Angeles Fires

Podcast cover

Fresh Air

The podcast features an interview with Jacob Soboroff, a correspondent for MSNOW, discussing his book "Firestorm," which chronicles the Los Angeles wildfires. Soboroff recounts his experience covering the fires in his hometown, including the destruction of his childhood home and the impact on his family. The conversation explores the multiple factors contributing to the fires' devastation, such as climate change, infrastructure failures, and the prevalence of lithium-ion batteries. It further examines the political dimensions, including misinformation from then President-elect Trump and the gutting of agencies like NOAA. The discussion also highlights the disproportionate impact on the undocumented community and the challenges of rebuilding efforts, compounded by insurance issues and potential toxic contamination.

Outlines

Part 1: Introduction, Personal Accounts

Part 2: Infrastructure, Resource Challenges

Part 3: Politics, Misinformation, Labor

Part 4: Recovery, Economics, Design

Part 5: Journalism, Literature, Closing

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