Today, Explained: The Politics of Fire – Episode Summary

Overview of the Los Angeles Fires

In the January 14, 2025 episode of Today, Explained, hosts Sean Rameswaram and Noel King delve into the catastrophic wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles, burning approximately 40,000 acres—the size of Washington D.C.—and causing estimated damages upwards of $250 billion. These fires stand as the most economically devastating in U.S. history. A central concern highlighted by the hosts is the puzzling depletion of water resources, which significantly hindered firefighting efforts.

The Water Crisis: Firefighters Run Out of Water

Interview with Greg Pierce: Why Water Ran Out

Greg Pierce, the director of the UCLA Water Resources Group and a professor at UCLA, provides expert insights into the water crisis during the fires. He explains that the urban water systems in Los Angeles are not equipped to handle the scale of wildfires experienced. Pierce states, “Urban water systems aren't equipped to fight wildfires of this nature” (03:42).

Infrastructure Limitations

Pierce elaborates on the limitations of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, noting that fire hydrants are designed for everyday structure fires, not massive wildfires. “A firefight with multiple fire hydrants drawing water from the system for several hours is unsustainable” (04:47).

Public's Role in Depleting Water Supply

The episode highlights how individual actions, such as homeowners using hoses simultaneously, contributed to the rapid depletion of water pressure. Pierce explains, “Homeowners leaving on their hoses...the pressure is dropping because a lot of the private property around is trying to water” (05:04). This widespread use of water meant that firefighters were unable to sustain their efforts, forcing a reliance on aerial firefighting methods, which are less effective in certain terrains.

Political Fallout from the Fires

Blame on Governor Newsom and Karen Bass

The discussion shifts to the immediate political repercussions following the fires. Prominent figures, including former President Donald Trump, quickly blamed California's leadership for the inadequate response. A firefighter notes, “Trump posting about it by Wednesday morning, pointing blame at California leaders” (18:22). Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass became primary targets of criticism.

Specific Accusations: Delta Smelt and Water Diversion

Trump and other Republicans accused Governor Newsom of diverting water to protect the endangered delta smelt, weakening the firefighting capacity. The governor responds, “They send it out to the Pacific because they're trying to protect a tiny little fish” (19:13), though authorities clarified that reservoirs were full and water diversion was not the cause of the shortages.

Mayor's Absence and Criticism

Mayor Karen Bass faced backlash for not being present in Los Angeles during the initial outbreak of the fires. A firefighter remarked, “She's out of the country while this was unfolding back home” (21:35). Despite her efforts to stay in contact and respond promptly upon arrival, her absence was perceived as a lack of leadership, damaging her image even among Democratic supporters.

Implications for Future Fire Prevention and Urban Planning

Rebuilding Efforts and Challenges

The episode explores the complexities of rebuilding in fire-prone areas. While officials, including the city official, emphasize the determination to rebuild, Greg Pierce raises concerns about the sustainability of such efforts without substantial improvements to infrastructure. “We're gonna try to rebuild back everywhere” (12:02), he notes, highlighting the political motivations behind rebuilding.

Need for Robust Water Systems

Pierce advocates for significant upgrades to water systems to better handle wildfires. He suggests, “Positive redundancy in three aspects: the actual water supply, the infrastructure, and improvements in moving water around” (10:03). These enhancements, however, come with a steep financial burden, estimated to be five to fifteen times more expensive than current systems.

Cost and Political Will

The high costs associated with upgrading infrastructure pose a significant barrier. Pierce acknowledges, “It probably can be done, but it'll just be incredibly expensive” (04:25). The episode underscores that addressing these infrastructural weaknesses requires political will and societal commitment to prioritize long-term safety over immediate expenditures.

Conclusion: The Intersection of Politics, Infrastructure, and Climate

Today, Explained concludes by emphasizing the intertwined nature of politics, infrastructure, and climate change in managing wildfires. The Los Angeles fires serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive planning and investment to mitigate future disasters. As Pierce aptly summarizes, “This was to be expected if we were realistic about it” (06:34), pointing to the necessity of forward-thinking policies and robust systems to protect communities from increasingly severe wildfires.

Notable Quotes

• Greg Pierce (03:42): “Urban water systems aren't equipped to fight wildfires of this nature.”
• Greg Pierce (04:47): “A firefight with multiple fire hydrants drawing water from the system for several hours is unsustainable.”
• Greg Pierce (05:04): “Homeowners leaving on their hoses...the pressure is dropping because a lot of the private property around is trying to water.”
• Firefighter (18:22): “Trump posting about it by Wednesday morning, pointing blame at California leaders.”
• Greg Pierce (10:03): “Positive redundancy in three aspects: the actual water supply, the infrastructure, and improvements in moving water around.”
• Greg Pierce (06:34): “This was to be expected if we were realistic about it.”

Credits

Special thanks to Matt Hamilton from the LA Times for contributing to this episode. Production and editing were handled by Abhishai Artsy and Travis Larchuk, with fact-checking by Laura Bullard and Peter Balanon Rosen, and audio mixing by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Christensdatter.

This summary was crafted using the provided transcript and adheres to the guidelines for clarity, structure, and inclusion of key quotes with timestamps.