Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast – Episode: Hour 2 with John Ireland

Release Date: January 9, 2025
Guests: John Ireland (ESPN LA, Voice of the Lakers and Los Angeles Rams)

1. Introduction to the Episode

The episode begins with the hosts, Don Hahn and Peter Rosenberg, introducing their special guest, John Ireland from ESPN LA. The primary focus of this episode is the devastating wildfires currently impacting Southern California, their effects on the local community, and the implications for upcoming sports events.

2. Southern California Wildfires: A Community in Crisis

John Ireland provides a harrowing account of the ongoing wildfires in Southern California, particularly the destruction in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood.

• Destruction Scale:

  • [01:11] John Ireland describes the situation: “There's over 1,000 structures destroyed. The entire neighborhood of Pacific Palisades is gone.”
  • [01:20] He emphasizes the severity, stating, “The Palisades fire is more acres than the entire island of Manhattan.”

• Fire Containment Challenges:

  • [01:20] John explains the difficulty in controlling the fires: “They have 0% containment on these fires... the winds have been so bad. It was like the perfect storm.”
  • [02:18] He highlights how high winds exacerbated the situation, causing embers to ignite homes rapidly, leading to a “domino effect” of destruction.

3. Impact on Local Sports Events

The wildfires have significantly disrupted the schedule of major sports events, leading to cancellations and potential relocations.

• Immediate Cancellations:

  • [02:47] John recounts the rapid escalation: “If you turn in for a movie, they would say it would never happen in real life. And yet it's happening.”
  • [04:33] Discussion on the Rams vs. Vikings game: Don Hahn expresses his opinion to move the game to Arizona, but John Ireland explains the logistical challenges.

• Logistical Hurdles:

  • [04:59] John elaborates: “65,000 people on the road... you want the fire trucks to have a clean shot to go wherever they're going.”
  • [05:30] He stresses the importance of keeping roads clear for emergency services, making the relocation of large events risky and complex.

4. Personal Stories and Emotional Toll

John Ireland shares personal anecdotes and the emotional impact of the wildfires on the community.

• Loss of Homes:

  • [02:47] John reveals, “I’ve been talking to people for the last three days and some of my best friends live over there and they’re safe, thank God, but their houses are gone.”
  • [09:24] He mentions famous individuals affected, such as J.J. Redick: “J.J. Redick, the Laker coach, lost his house. He lives in Pacific Palisades.”

• Fatalities and Evacuations:

  • [07:32] John discusses the tragic loss of 25 lives, primarily due to refusal to evacuate: “Most of the 25 people who died were people that refused to evacuate.”

• Community Support:

  • [09:24] Acknowledges the support from companies: “Airbnb is giving everybody free housing. Uber and Lyft are not charging anybody in those fire areas.”

5. Status of the Sunset Fire and Ongoing Efforts

The conversation shifts to the Sunset Fire near Laurel Canyon and the Hollywood Bowl.

• Containment Status:
  • [10:20] John states, “They have redirected it and they think they’ve got it under control. But again, the wind is what could trip it.”
  • [12:42] He cautions that even controlled fires can reignite due to unpredictable winds, making complete containment challenging.

6. Technical Challenges: ESPN LA Station Knocked Off Air

John Ireland explains the technical difficulties faced by ESPN LA due to the fires.

• Transmission Issues:

  • [13:17] “They basically, our transmitter is in Altadena, and that’s one of the areas that was burning. And so we got knocked off the air briefly.”
  • [13:49] Apple’s response: “Disney... they just don't want their people on the roads. So we're off the air till Monday.”

• Broadcast Plans:

  • [14:25] John shares the uncertainty of returning to airwaves: “We can do stuff like I'm doing. Our plan is to go back on the air Monday, but I don't know if that's gonna happen.”

7. Emotional Reflections and Community Resilience

The hosts and John reflect on the human aspect of the disaster, emphasizing the irreplaceable loss of lives and personal belongings.

• Human Spirit:

  • [14:48] John: “It's an extraordinary testament to the kindness of the human spirit... companies have rallied around the flag.”

• Valuable Possessions vs. Lives:

  • [17:36] Don Hahn: “Everything can be replaced, but one thing can't be replaced is a life.”
  • [18:00] Don adds: “It's heartbreaking... pets can’t be replaced.”

• Preparedness and Personal Safety:

  • [19:29] Peter Rosenberg encourages preparedness: “If you're interested in donating and helping out...”

8. Diversion: Discussion on Metal Music

Towards the end of the episode, the conversation shifts to light-hearted discussions about metal music preferences among the hosts.

• Music Preferences:

  • [23:00] Don Hahn asks Peter: “What is your favorite metal band?”
  • [23:04] Peter: “Don’t have one.”
  • [24:03] Don: “Metal is pretty much through the entire song...”

• Personal Stories:

  • [27:13] Peter shares a personal memory linked to a song: “My first kiss with a girl was listening to the song...”

While this segment provides a brief respite from the heavy topics, it underscores the camaraderie and diverse interests of the hosts.

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with the hosts expressing their gratitude to John Ireland for sharing his insights and experiences.

• Appreciation:

  • [16:06] Don Hahn: “That just blew me away.”
  • [16:15] John Ireland: “Anytime, boys. Hang in there. Have a good day.”

• Call to Action:

  • [21:39] Peter Rosenberg: “If you’re interested in donating and helping out...”

The hosts sign off by encouraging listeners to stay informed and support those affected by the wildfires.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• John Ireland [01:11]: “There's over 1,000 structures destroyed. The entire neighborhood of Pacific Palisades is gone.”
• John Ireland [07:32]: “Most of the 25 people who died were people that refused to evacuate.”
• Don Hahn [17:36]: “Everything can be replaced, but one thing can't be replaced is a life.”

This episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg provides a comprehensive and heartfelt overview of the severe wildfires in Southern California, their widespread impact on communities and local sports, and the resilience of those affected. The addition of personal stories from John Ireland adds depth and urgency to the discussion, while the brief musical interlude offers a glimpse into the hosts' personalities beyond their professional roles.