LA Resident Michael Webb's Harrowing Escape from Palisades Fire
Michael Webb, a long-time resident of Los Angeles, found himself in a familiar yet grave situation as the Palisades fire broke out on January 10, 2025. The author, known for his insights on urban planning and climate change, received an evacuation alert at 3:48 AM, marking the start of a harrowing experience that would last for weeks.
Webb, who has lived in a hilltop apartment near UCLA for nearly 50 years, is no stranger to wildfires and earthquakes. However, the scale and ferocity of the Palisades fire left him feeling a mix of gratitude for his own safety and sadness for the loss of classic modern buildings and lives. He wondered about the fate of a Malibu beach house he had featured in a book and mourned the loss of other houses along the coastline.
Rather than watching news coverage, Webb decided to rely on official online bulletins for updates. He also took the initiative to check on people he knew to be at risk, relieved to find that they were all safe. The fire, though uncontrolled, did not move closer to Webb's location for several days, providing a brief respite.
Webb suggested that Los Angeles should rezone to allow for denser urban housing in safer areas and rewild regions too risky to live in due to climate change and recurring droughts. His words echoed the sentiments of Dr. Andreia Ribeiro from the UFZ-Department of Compound Environmental Risks, who authored an article about the 2025 Los Angeles fire.
Two weeks after the initial evacuation alert, the fires were still smouldering, and there were sure to be fresh outbreaks when the winds returned. The Palisades fire, three days old, was potentially threatening Webb's neighborhood, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by wildfires in the region.
Michael Webb's experience with the Palisades fire serves as a stark reminder of the increasing threat of wildfires in Los Angeles due to climate change. His call for urban planning that prioritizes safety and sustainability is a timely one, as the city continues to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating fire.
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