Jacob Soboroff’s experience covering the devastating fires in his hometown of Pacific Palisades on January 7, 2025, profoundly impacted him. As a veteran correspondent for NBC News, he rushed to report on the chaos, witnessing the destruction of his childhood home and community firsthand.
His reporting culminated in the book “Firestorm: The Great Los Angeles Fires and America’s New Age of Disaster,” published by Mariner Books. The book chronicles the catastrophic events that resulted in over 6,800 homes burned in Pacific Palisades and Malibu and more than 9,400 structures destroyed in Altadena. Soboroff reflects on how this disaster encapsulates broader issues facing America, including climate change, infrastructure failure, and the challenges of misinformation during crises.
In his discussions, Soboroff highlights the dysfunction between local, state, and federal leadership during the crisis, noting the chaotic exchange of blame and misinformation from political figures. He emphasizes the ongoing struggle to recover and rebuild amidst systemic issues that were exacerbated by the fires, including socioeconomic challenges and the affordability crisis in Los Angeles.
The fires served as a stark reminder of vulnerabilities in urban living, and Soboroff aims for his book to offer both a personal catharsis and a broader learning experience for readers. He also touches on how the entertainment industry is reevaluating its presence and the need for supportive policies in the wake of the devastation. Soboroff’s own processing of loss involves memorializing the past within his community, aiming to inspire resilience as individuals navigate the aftermath of such disasters.
