Host Ross Furukawa and journalist Brian Peter Falk discussed the ongoing Palisades Fire on January 10th, 2025. Cal Fire reported the fire has burned 21,317 acres with 8% containment and threatens 11,171 structures, while warning about false social media posts claiming cleanup work opportunities. In Santa Monica, evacuation orders remain in effect north of San Vicente, while the area between Montana and San Vicente has been downgraded to an evacuation warning, and the area between Wilshire and Montana has had evacuations lifted. Looting has become a major concern, with the Santa Monica Police Department reporting 573 calls for service, 240 of which came from the evacuation zone (representing only 4% of the city). In response, the National Guard has been deployed to support law enforcement, though they are unarmed. Access to evacuated areas is strictly controlled, with residents only allowed back briefly for essential needs like medication, requiring police escort. The weather forecast indicates weak to moderate Santa Ana winds through the weekend, stronger winds expected Tuesday, and a 20% chance of rain the following Friday.

www.smdp.com/fire-resources A DEVELOPING STORY is a narrative podcast series from Santa Monica Daily

Press. In each episode, award-winning filmmaker and journalist Brian

Peter Falk explores housing development in Santa Monica one story at a

time and tries to figure out what those stories tell us about the future

– and ourselves.

 

This is a local series with national resonance, fueled by the reporting

of Santa Monica Daily Press, Santa Monica's most trusted news source.