On Our "Virtual Route 66" (Special Local Edition): On the WildFires in Southern California

As the first quarter of 2025 is drawing to a close,  our team presents a recent snapshot of  the Wildfires in Southern California courtesy the  Team at  CalMatters as we look forward to the  continued privilege  to serve.     Wildfire Updates  The aftermath of the Palisades Fire, as clean-ups and infrastructure repairs begin, in Pacific Palisades, on Jan. 14, 2025. Photo by Ted Soqui for CalMatters

 

You're getting this Weekly Wildfire Updates newsletter because you're signed up for another CalMatters newsletter, but if you'd rather not receive it, you may unsubscribe anytime.   Hey there, and welcome to the weekly public media wildfires update.    There’s still a lot we don’t know about what’s been left behind after the fires — on multiple levels. This week, we have stories exploring the mental health impact that the county is hoping to alleviate, a look into the contaminants that remain in fire-affected areas even post-cleanup, and the new fire hazard maps put out by the state that show a growing number of areas under threat.    But there’s good news, too. Two popular Palisades art galleries have found space in Santa Monica and are exhibiting new work already, the physical houses of worship for several groups may have been lost, but they are starting over in new places, and the first permits for rebuilding in the Palisades have been issued by the mayor’s office.   And two events that might be worth checking out — the first is at the Nimoy from CAP UCLA, which will be hosting a talk from The Art of Grief podcasters; the other is a virtual talk on rebuilding with design experts from the Friends of Residential Treasures.   Stay safe,  LAist, PBS SoCal, KCRW and CalMatters

 

The Latest LA County offers mental health assistance after firestorms. (LAist) LA Mayor Bass announces first permits for Pacific Palisades rebuild — and issues emergency order. (LAist) The disaster after the disaster: Many contaminants may be overlooked in wake of fires. (Capital & Main) How Muslim and Jewish groups who lost houses of worship in the Eaton Fire are recovering. (LAist) California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara explains his trip to Bermuda was for insurance work. (CalMatters) Looking Ahead March 26 virtual event → The Heart of LA: Straight Talk About Building Back. (Friends of Residential Treasures LA) Invasive plants make fires worse. Can they be stopped? (KCRW) New fire maps put nearly 4 million Californians in hazardous zones. What does that mean for the people who live there? (CalMatters) 'It will not be survivable': Lake Tahoe could be a deathtrap during major wildfires. (CalMatters) How should Los Angeles rebuild? The answer may exist in our building codes. (AfroLA) Stories from the Community Galleries reopen in Palisades. Commentary: California leaders need to keep their promises to the schools affected by LA fires. (CalMatters)