NPR's Book of the Day 'Firestorm' tells journalistic – and personal – story of the LA wildfires
Jan 20, 2026
Jacob Soboroff, a journalist and correspondent deeply affected by the LA wildfires, shares his firsthand experiences in his book, *Firestorm*. He recounts the emotional turmoil of reporting from the charred remains of his childhood neighborhood. The discussion delves into the misinformation that spread during the crisis, the severe health risks facing responders, and the complexities of recovery and housing inequities that emerged post-disaster. Soboroff emphasizes the intersection of infrastructure, climate change, and community resilience in these trying times.
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Reporting Your Own Neighborhood Burn
- Jacob Soboroff watched his childhood neighborhood, the Palisades, burn and reported live while seeing homes incinerated.
- He describes the emotional shock of reporting on a place he grew up in and losing personal distance from the story.
Checking On Friends — Even Unlikely Ones
- Jacob checked on many friends' and acquaintances' homes during the fires, including Stephen Miller's parents' house, which had burned.
- He recounts unexpected personal contacts like Katie Miller texting him amid the chaos.
Low Pressure Was Systemic Demand, Not One Reservoir
- Firefighters and water engineers said low pressure resulted from massive simultaneous demand, not a single empty reservoir.
- Jacob emphasizes large-scale logistics overwhelmed the system during the firestorm.
