California Wildfires

It was a dangerous proposition. Yet, some residents of Malibu and the Pacific Palisades had well established plans to stay at their homes and fight the Jan. 7 wildfire as it overtook communities. Survivors who stayed to ride out the inferno, which led to at least a dozen fatalities, acknowledged that their decision came with enormous risk. The fire broke…

Pool pumps, scuba gear, defensible space and more were part of these three families’ plans to ride out the Palisades Fire. Jeremy Lee reports for the NBC4 News. 

Evacuation orders were issued in Inyo and Mono counties after the Silver Fire broke out in Bishop. As seen on the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on March 30, 2025.

A vegetation fire erupted near Bishop, prompting Cal Fire to issue an evacuation order and warnings in Inyo County.

Saturday’s rally at the Fair Oaks Burger included free food, groceries, clothing and resources. The group’s mission is to help the under and non-insured stay in Altadena after the fire destroyed their community. Tracey Leong reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on March 29, 2025.

A lawsuit filed by residents who were impacted by January’s Palisades Fire claims to have evidence a second blaze occurred shortly after the initial fire, causing more destruction and devastation to the seaside community.

Palisades Fire victims have filed a lawsuit against LA County and DWP where they allege there is evidence that a second wave of fire destroyed their homes. Eric Leonard reports for NBC4 Investigates on March 28, 2025.

The new deadline to apply for wildfire debris removal is April 15 and applies to residential homes, commercial and multi-use properties, condos and religious institutions. Mekahlo Medina reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on March 28, 2025. 

Culver City emergency services announced the implementation of its ‘Hi-Lo Audible Warning System” Friday morning for emergency evacuations. According to the Culver City Police Department, the system is intended to “cut through the noise of daily life” with a “high-pitched tone followed by a low-pitched tone.” The system will be activated by patrol vehicles in evacuation areas. Police say the…

A key deadline for wildfire recovery assistance is extended. Brittany Hope reports for the NBC4 News at 11 a.m. on Friday March 28, 2025. 

An update is expected Friday morning regarding the rebuilding efforts, nearly three months since the devastating Eaton Fire completely leveled parts of Altadena. 

An update is expected on Friday regarding the cleanup and rebuilding efforts in the area affected by the Eaton Fire. Brittany Hope reports for the NBC4 News at 6 a.m. on March 28, 2024. 

A group of property owners are facing a $62 million lawsuit for alleged price gouging in the aftermath of January’s wildfires and violating short-term rental laws, Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced Thursday. The City Attorney’s Office filed a civil enforcement action against several individuals and their related companies that allegedly operated a sprawling illegal multimillion-dollar rental...

The text exchanges show she struggled to communicate with her staff as she returned from a trip to Ghana. Investigative Reporter Eric Leonard reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass exchanged text messages during the early hours of the Palisades Fire that showed she struggled to communicate with her staff as she returned from a trip to Ghana. The messages, released by the Mayor’s office in response to a California Public Records Act request, help to illustrate how she managed the city’s fire response...

For those who fall within Cal Fire’s updated fire hazard maps- their home fire insurance may not be impacted, according to an expert. Tracey Leong reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on March 26, 2025.

More than 50 homes in the Altadena area torched by the Eaton Fire were estimated to have contaminants like lead and asbestos.

Some houses in Altadena tested positive for harmful toxins, preventing families from returning to their homes. Lolita Lopez reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Altadena neighbors have raised concern over noise and air quality issues as crews work to clean up torched properties from the Eaton Fire.  Among the newest initiatives, the Army Corp of Engineers is preparing to crush concrete and recycle metal on the Altadena golf course beginning next week. Homeowners whose residences are still standing, however, said they’re worried about...

Following the relief of an updated map that shows which communities are most vulnerable to wildfires, an expert is urging residents in those areas to prepare for the worst just in case. Tracey Leong reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2025.