The nation’s eyes are currently on Los Angeles, where the first climate disaster of 2025 is unfolding in real time. On Tuesday, a violent windstorm swept through the Los Angeles area, sparking several fires that spread to engulf three areas major attractions, including the Pacific Palisades, Eaton Canyon and Sylmar.
As of press time, wildfires have killed at least two people and 30,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes. Officials estimate that more than 1,000 structures burned.
National and local media have covered the wildfires over the past 24 hours. TVNewser collected the following testimonies from correspondents in the field and their teams in the studio as events unfolded. We will continue to update this article as new stories come in.
What has been the most defining or haunting moment for you in this story so far?
Jasmine Viel, anchor and reporter for CBS News Los Angeles
Covering the Palisades Fire was an intense and humbling experience. When the wind suddenly changed and flying embers suddenly hit me, while I was live on air, I was fine, but it reminded me how unpredictable and dangerous these situations can be . Even though we are trained for times like this, wear our protective gear, and practice all safety measures, that doesn’t make them any less real. But we do this work because it matters. Bringing crucial information to our viewers, even in the face of danger, is why we do what we do.
Amanda Starrantino, reporter for CBS News Los Angeles
As journalists, we strive to bring information to our communities with calm and clarity, even in the most difficult times. Covering the Eaton fire today became deeply personal when I realized the neighborhood I was reporting in included a close family friend’s home, now burned to the ground. Balancing my role as a journalist with the emotions of this discovery was one of the most difficult times of my career. Off-air, I made the tough call to confirm to my friends that their home had been lost, then returned on-air a few minutes later with the intention of ensuring our viewers received the information they needed. needed during this devastating fire.
Jacob Soboroff, NBC News correspondent
Seeing the community I grew up in completely wiped out overnight is an experience that, if I ever had it, would be accompanied by an earthquake. And I didn’t expect it to be a real firestorm that would descend so quickly on a place that I love so much and cause so much harm to so many people.
Courtesy of NBC NewsNBC News’ Jacob Soboroff covers wildfires
What precautions do you and your teams take when reporting? Were there times when you felt unsafe?
Tim Wieland, regional general manager, president of CBS News Los Angeles and CBS News Colorado
Our journalists have received extensive training before covering events like this. We are also extremely careful when sending them out to ensure coverage and we provide protective equipment.
Examples below:
-Crews must attend annual Wildland Cal Fire training
-Reporters and photographers are assigned respirators that require fit testing by Cal OSHA certified technicians.
-Crews have access to N95 masks, water and first aid kits.
-All press vans are equipped with fire extinguishers and are checked daily with the OSHA required checklist.
-Photographers and journalists receive Nomex Fire equipment consisting of a jacket, pants and safety glasses.
We had a moment where CBS Los Angeles was presenting Patrick Harvey And Juan Fernandez were live for a discussion with journalist Jasmine Viel, when the tide suddenly turned and she was briefly hit by flying embers while reporting. We immediately evacuated her from the Temescal Canyon/Palisades area.
What should viewers be aware of as coverage continues?
Tim Wieland, regional general manager and president of CBS News Los Angeles and CBS News Colorado
We’ve been on air broadcasting our coverage and warnings around the wildfires since 10 a.m. PT yesterday, and we will continue to provide on-the-ground reporting to our viewers, keeping them informed and informed with as much information as possible. as it happens. If you don’t live in the area but have family and are concerned, or if you’ve evacuated but have your phone, you can go directly to the CBS News Los Angeles app and watch the coverage all day today.
We also want viewers to know that CBS Los Angeles is offering “The Desk,” which gives viewers complete behind-the-scenes access to what’s happening during the wildfire as we receive information. Homework Editors Mark Liu and, later in the day, Mike Rogerswill keep viewers informed all day long. As we receive breaking news in our newsroom, they will receive the news, in addition to reports from the field. We will also continue to update viewers on evacuation centers and shelters, and only when we can, we will update viewers who have called in to ask if any businesses burned or survived.
