Podcast Summary: The Journal – "Their L.A. Neighborhood Burned. Two Residents Find What’s Left."
Episode Details:
- Title: Their L.A. Neighborhood Burned. Two Residents Find What’s Left.
- Hosts: Kate Linebaugh, Ryan Knutson, Jessica Mendoza
- Release Date: January 13, 2025
- Production: Spotify and The Wall Street Journal
Introduction
In this poignant episode of The Journal, hosts Kate Linebaugh and Ryan Knutson, accompanied by Jessica Mendoza, delve into the devastating wildfires that have ravaged the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. The episode spotlights two residents, Mariah Lanfar and Gavin Bates, who return to their burnt neighborhood to assess the destruction and confront the loss of their homes and memories.
The Aftermath of the Wildfires
Returning to a Devastated Home
On a chilly Friday morning, a convoy of cars forms outside the Pacific Palisades as authorities begin allowing residents to return and evaluate the wildfire damage. Mariah Lanfar, 24, accompanied by her neighbor Gavin Bates and their colleague Catherine Sayre, is among those heartbroken by the destruction.
- Mariah Lanfar [00:35]: “Yeah, so we had a clue that our house was gone when we got this map from like Cal fire or whatever. But they didn't update this for so long, so I was like holding out. So this is where our house is.”
At the backseat, Gavin expresses his reluctance to return, reflecting the emotional turmoil faced by many residents.
- Gavin Bates [00:57]: “I just need to. It's hard.”
- Mariah Lanfar [00:59]: “Yeah.”
Navigating the Restricted Access
Access to the neighborhood was tightly controlled, with police escorts to prevent looting and only a few cars allowed in at a time. The slow and controlled entry underscored the severity of the situation.
- Mariah Lanfar [01:14]: “Maybe I should roll up the window. I think it's gonna be.”
- Gavin Bates [01:16]: “It's gonna be miserable.”
A Glimpse into Pre-Fire Lives
Mariah’s Home and Heritage
Mariah lived with her 80-year-old great aunt in a quaint white single-story family home, rich with history and family memorabilia.
- Mariah Lanfar [03:14]: “My aunt bought her house first with her first husband, and then they got a divorce and my aunt bought the house from him.”
She reminisces about the house filled with her aunt’s art collection and handmade furniture, a testament to generations of family memories.
- Mariah Lanfar [03:34]: “And my Obachan would always talk about, they're building too far into the mountains or building too far into the mountains. Something's gonna happen, you know, and here we are at the edge of the mountain, and yeah, it's Destina.”
Gavin’s New Beginnings
Gavin, who moved to the neighborhood in 2010 with his wife and two children, shares his experience of the wildfire’s sudden onset.
- Gavin Bates [04:25]: “When we left, it wasn't so bad.”
- Mariah Lanfar [04:27]: “Wow.”
Despite initial signs that seemed manageable, the fierce Santa Ana winds forced their timely evacuation.
Confronting Loss and Seeking Closure
Assessing the Damage
Both Mariah and Gavin deal with the harrowing reality of their homes’ destruction. Mariah’s emotional farewell includes capturing the remnants of her once lively home.
- Mariah Lanfar [04:55]: “This is behind Pellehigh as I was leaving. What were you thinking at that point? We're so. We're so.”
Gavin, meanwhile, monitors the destruction of his home remotely through his security system, witnessing each devastating moment.
- Gavin Bates [05:28]: “And so the first thing, the heat shattered the glass around 10. And then you can see am, pm, pm. And you can see the progression of things breaking in the house from 10 to 11, whatever, you know, all different sorts of alarms going off.”
Insurance and Documentation Challenges
Both residents emphasize the complexities of filing insurance claims amidst the chaos.
- Gavin Bates [07:18]: “Our insurance has been good so far, but they're like, we need pictures.”
- Mariah Lanfar [07:23]: “I know. Yeah.”
Mariah struggles with documenting irreplaceable items, highlighting the emotional and logistical hurdles faced by survivors.
A Glimmer of Hope Amidst Ruins
Unexpected Survivals
While most structures are reduced to ash, Mariah and Gavin find small miracles amidst the devastation. Mariah discovers three untouched houses, and Gavin’s cherished 16-year-old BMW remains miraculously intact.
- Gavin Bates [06:51]: “The irony of my situation is my wife already doesn't like my car. She's like, eh, I don't really want that car anyway. It's gone. It's like. I'm like, if that car survived, I've never given up that car. It's old as it is, but I'm gonna have. It's gonna get a sticker that said, I survived the fire and it's going anywhere, literally.”
Emotional Closure
Returning to their neighborhood provides Mariah and Gavin with a sense of closure, despite the overwhelming loss. Mariah’s conversation with her aunt over FaceTime underscores the emotional weight of the day.
- Mariah Lanfar [15:06]: “My auntie took it. Good. I think she, you know, sees it and she is. Yep, confirmed. It's gone. I don't know if you heard her, but she's like, mariah, don't cry.”
Gavin echoes the deep emotional impact, expressing feelings of numbness and defeat.
- Gavin Bates [09:02]: “It's like that numbed feeling, right? It's like defeated. There are no words. No words that really do it justice.”
The Broader Impact and Ongoing Struggles
As Mariah and Gavin begin the arduous task of rebuilding their lives, the podcast highlights the widespread devastation caused by the fires, which have destroyed over 12,000 structures and resulted in significant financial losses exceeding $50 billion—the costliest fire in U.S. history.
- Ryan Knudson [07:30]: “So far, the fires have racked up more than $50 billion in losses. It's the costliest fire in U.S. history. And that number is likely to grow considering the fires aren't contained yet.”
With the fires only 14% contained and more gusts expected, the threat to other residents remains imminent, painting a grim picture of the ongoing disaster.
Conclusion
The Journal poignantly captures the human side of the L.A. wildfires through the experiences of Mariah Lanfar and Gavin Bates. Their stories of loss, resilience, and the quest for closure offer listeners a deeply personal glimpse into the broader catastrophe, emphasizing the profound impact of natural disasters on individual lives and communities.
Additional Reporting: Joe Flint
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