Aftermath: Stories of devastation and heroism following California wildfires and a look into what’s causing them
A worker surveys the damage from the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. AP Photo/John Locher
Los Angeles area residents are bracing for another day of what the National Weather Service calls a “particularly dangerous situation.” That is a rare warning beyond the typical “red flag” conditions, and signifies the kind of high winds and low humidity that has led to what is projected to be the most damaging wildfire in American history.
The human stories of those impacted have been heartbreaking with thousands of families displaced and homes destroyed and at least two dozen people killed.
A Champaign-Urbana native and University of Illinois alum, who now resides in Los Angeles, joins the program to share about his family's experience when news of the fires broke. A professor with expertise in climate and weather also gives his analysis on the meteorology of fires and what factors play a role in these types of natural disasters.
GUESTS
Andy Lee
Founder, Parallaxes Capital
Champaign-Urbana native and University of Illinois alumni
Bob Rauber
Director Emeritus, School of Earth, Society, and Environment at University of Illinois
Professor Emeritus, Climate, Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences at Univeristy of Illinois