Marketplace Morning Report:

"It felt happy. Then, 24 hours, it was gone.”

Date: January 6, 2026
Host: David Brancaccio

Episode Overview

This special episode marks the one-year anniversary of the devastating wildfires in California's Altadena region, the most costly wildfires in world history by property value lost. Host David Brancaccio, who himself lost his home in the fires, revisits his old neighborhood to check in with families who lost everything. The episode focuses on their ongoing recovery—financially, emotionally, and communally—centering their voices and lived experiences as they attempt to rebuild from almost total destruction.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Scope of the Wildfire Losses

• 16,000 structures destroyed—primarily homes
• 31 residents died in the fires
• One block in Altadena saw 15 houses as total losses, including Brancaccio’s own home
  (00:31)

Stories of Complete Loss and the Challenge of Starting Over

Vincent & Maria: A Lifetime Up in Smoke

• Vincent and Maria’s families lost every house they'd ever lived in to the fire.
  • Vincent: “How many [houses] would you say are still standing?”
    Vincent: “None of them.” (02:01)
  • Their tally: six homes lost among siblings and parents.
  • Both are long-time community members: Vincent’s worked 45 years at a car dealership, Maria semi-retired and working part-time at Dollar Tree.
• They now live an hour away but are determined to adapt and rebuild.
  • Maria: “The commute... you adapt. What do you do?” (02:45)
• The home they lost was deeply meaningful—a 1600 sq. ft. house, expanded by Vincent and his late brothers—a symbol of family effort.
  • Vincent: “That’s why we kind of want to rebuild.” (03:03)
• Hope to return in 2026, though it’s uncertain.
  • Vincent: “Put hope in one hand and wish in the other and see which one. Yeah, I’m hoping.” (03:18)

Lorianne & Jeff: Grieving the Suddenness

• Lorianne, a retired teacher and former business reporter, and Jeff, a retired school district carpenter, lost their home just one day after celebrating her birthday.
  • Lorianne: “I was walking through the house and I thought, I love my house... it felt happy. And then 24 hours it was gone.” (03:54, 04:01)
• Jeff considers acting as his own general contractor to save money, leveraging his brother's experience as an architect.
  • Jeff: “Our next step is to get blueprints... My brother Dean... knows all the ins and outs of the permit process.” (04:37)
• The challenge of distance: their temporary home is across Los Angeles.

Lacey & Family: Focusing on Stability for Kids

• Lacey, a child safety officer, lost her house shortly after moving in; her family quickly got a different place in Altadena to give her boys some continuity.
  • The children are eager to help plan their new home, centering hopes and normalcy amid upheaval.
  • Lorianne (about Lacey’s sons): “Our oldest son has requested a large Dodger logo on one of his bedroom walls... that sounds manageable.” (05:25)
• Her husband, a civil engineer, leads the family’s “design team” as they plan their future home.

The Struggle to Rebuild & Ongoing Hardships

• The Army Corps of Engineers cleared the worst of the debris, but most families are still navigating permits, insurance, and contractor costs.
  • David Brancaccio: “As we try... to sort out permits and contractors we can afford, at least two burnt out lots... have been sold.” (05:46)
• Some families were forced to sell, their stories to be featured on Marketplace.org later.
• Nonprofits assist with tasks like watering surviving plants until utilities are reconnected.

Markets Update (Skipped in-depth coverage—segment focus: wildfire stories)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Vincent: “None of them. Your family had two houses.” (Referring to homes lost) (02:02)
• Maria: “Six houses lost.” (02:19)
• Lorianne: “It felt happy. And then 24 hours it was gone.” (04:01)
• Vincent (on rebuilding): “I’m hoping to have this done by next year this time. I’m hoping.” (03:18)
• Maria (on adapting): “The commute, this is one thing, but I mean, you adapt. What do you do?” (02:45)
• Lacey’s son (through Lorianne): “Our oldest son has requested a large Dodger logo on one of his bedroom walls...” (05:25)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:31 — Introduction: Fire’s anniversary, scope, and personal stakes for host and neighbors
• 01:42 — Vincent and Maria on losing all their family homes
• 03:03 — Memories of rebuilding, family legacy in the lost home
• 03:32 — Lorianne and Jeff recount the surreal loss right after a happy moment
• 04:51 — Lacey’s family: children’s hopes, starting over, a family-led rebuild
• 05:46 — Brancaccio on clearing lots, help from nonprofits, and what comes next
• 06:29 — Tease to deeper stories and community aftermath, promotion for further coverage

Conclusion

This episode is an intimate, heartfelt chronicle of a community reeling from, and showing resilience after, a historic natural disaster. The voices of Vincent & Maria, Lorianne & Jeff, and Lacey’s family present an unvarnished look at how it feels to lose “every house you’ve ever lived in”—and the hope, practical hurdles, stubborn optimism, and grief that comes with trying to rebuild not just homes, but lives and neighborhoods.

Listeners are directed to Marketplace.org and sister programs for extended coverage as these stories continue to unfold.