Apple News In Conversation The true toll of the Los Angeles fires
Jan 15, 2026
In this engaging discussion, Jacob Soboroff, a senior reporter at MS NOW and author of Firestorm, shares his firsthand account of the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires. He reveals the chaotic evacuation process and the heartbreaking personal losses he witnessed. Jacob unpacks the political tensions surrounding recovery efforts, misinformation from prominent figures, and the challenges of rebuilding in the aftermath. Despite the devastation, he highlights community resilience and innovative solutions emerging from this crisis.
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Firsthand Account Of The Firestorm
- Jacob Soboroff described seeing embers falling like rain and realizing his childhood neighborhood was on fire.
- He reported live as his Palisades home and community burned, capturing immediate personal loss and chaos on the ground.
Predictable Risk Ignored
- Meteorologists issued a 'particularly dangerous situation' warning ahead of ignitions that predicted catastrophic outcomes.
- The fires validated those forecasts and showed how critical timely warnings are for prevention.
Failures In Emergency Communication
- Communication broke down and many residents first learned via family group texts or TV.
- Jacob witnessed people abandoning cars and fleeing on foot as alerts and systems struggled to keep pace.
