Rebuilding L.A.
Rebuilding L.A.
Podcast Description
What’s next for L.A. in the wake of its recent wildfires? In “Rebuilding Los Angeles,” broadcast journalist Kate Cagle examines the systems that failed us, the path forward and the innovative fire recovery efforts making L.A. more resilient. You’ll also hear inspiring stories from real Angelenos working to restore their lives and rise from the ashes. “Rebuilding Los Angeles” is more than an essential resource for California — it’s a cautionary tale for everyone affected by climate change.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers themes related to disaster recovery, community resilience, and climate change adaptation. Episodes explore topics such as the complexities of rebuilding homes and infrastructure in the aftermath of wildfires, the impact of environmental policies on urban planning, and personal stories of resilience from residents like Kelsey Szamet who is striving to return to her hometown. Specific episodes highlight the status of debris removal, considerations for fire-resilient rebuilding, and the emotional struggles of displaced families.
What’s next for L.A. in the wake of its recent wildfires? In “Rebuilding Los Angeles,” broadcast journalist Kate Cagle examines the systems that failed us, the path forward and the innovative fire recovery efforts making L.A. more resilient. You’ll also hear inspiring stories from real Angelenos working to restore their lives and rise from the ashes. “Rebuilding Los Angeles” is more than an essential resource for California — it’s a cautionary tale for everyone affected by climate change.
Last October, the U.S. Department of Justice revealed a stunning accusation — alleging that a young Uber driver from Florida caused the death and destruction in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu. It’s theory rested on belief that the Palisades Fire was a rekindling of a week old fire, the Lachman Fire, that this man, Jonathan Rinderknecht, had, allegedly, intentionally started with a flick of a lighter on New Year’s Day.
LA city firefighters said they believed that first fire had been put out. Federal investigators stressed that it burned so deep underground it could not be detected. But then evidence began to emerge that told a different narrative. The question: did concerns the fire was still smoldering go ignored?
This episode examines what we know about what happened between the Lachman Fire and the Palisades Fire, and the missteps and miscommunication that may have led to one of California’s most destructive fires in history.
GUEST: Arlene Tchekmedyian, LA Times Investigative Reporter
Links:
3 critical days, many ignored warnings: How the LAFD failed to prevent the Palisades inferno: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-11/lafd-testimony-details-missed-chances-to-fully-put-out-lachman-fire
Who made the call to leave the Lachman fire? In sworn testimony, LAFD officials pass the buck: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-01/who-made-call-to-leave-lachman-fire-in-sworn-testimony-lafd-officials-pass-buck
L.A. firefighter testifies that Lachman fire was not fully put out. ‘I saw … red hot coals’: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-02-26/la-firefighter-testifies-that-lachman-fire-was-not-fully-put-out-when-crews-were-ordered-to-leave.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass directed Palisades fire damage control, email shows: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-02-13/mayor-karen-bass-directed-palisades-fire-damage-control-emails-show
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