Chris Merrill begins the show with updates on the wildfire crisis as Southern California braces for another round of Santa Ana winds, bringing renewed fire danger. He explores how these conditions are impacting recovery efforts, from the search for missing persons in the Palisades and Eaton fire areas to the strain on communities trying to rebuild. Chris also delves into the political side of the disaster, examining discussions about tying wildfire aid to a debt limit increase, adding another layer of complexity to the wildfire crisis.