By Maurice D Smith
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 03/17/2025
LAist, a non-profit geared towards sharing LA stories, collaborated with PBS and PBS SoCal for a free hamburger, Teriyaki chicken, tofu plate, Q & A reception/screening called “Weathered: Inside the LA Firestorm”–regarding the recent firestorms in California–Wednesday, March. 12 at 7 p.m. at The Crawford (474 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105).
The open to the public screening moderated by LAist’s entourage, hosted by journalist/meteorologist Maiya May, filmmaker Trip Jennings, L.A. County Fire Brigade founder Keegan Gibbs, Altadena resident and MasBuild Inc. president Lynnelle Bryant, showcased a documentary which will air on PBS on March 19, 2025.
As California struggles to reset, amidst a synergistic destructive dynamic comprised of spiritual anguish, physical, mental, socio-economic obliteration, death, spiritual cacophony and anger caused by the inexplicably virulent “fast fire” firestorm which raged unholy hell on its denizens, PBS and PBS SoCal, have constructed a view, which will air on the series, ”Weathered”, which has aired since 2020, hosted by journalist/meteorologist extraordinaire, produced by Maiya Mays and Trip Jennings, BalanceMedia with series producer and director Trip Jennings. Diana El-Osta, Maribel Lopez and Dylewski, executives for PBS respectively speaking, airs on March 19, 2025.
PBS and PBS SoCal’s new 1-hour special “Weathered: Inside the LA Firestorm”, theoretically, strategizes, non-ignition “ensemble” like implementations which upon constructed near, around and or on the property prior to and also upon homes with pre constructed noncombustible components, presumably, presentably and possibly, says, journalist Mays, could disable and or diffuse future fast fire attacks.
Furthermore, The Wrap further expounded, “According to CalFire, the Palisades, Eaton and other surrounding urban wildfires burned 57,660 acres, destroyed 16,249 structures and killed at least 29 people. Additionally, AccuWeather estimates the blazes caused more than $250 billion in damages and other economic loss.”
In fact, in a May 11, 2025 article by JD Knapp at PBS, PBS SoCal “Weathered: Inside the LA Firestorm’ Special”, Maiya Mays, former contributor at KOMU, WAGA, WSB-TV, and The Weather Channel, said, “In the wake of the tragic L.A. fires, I’m proud that this show can continue to be a vital resource, providing clarity about the events leading up to the fire and actionable steps that we can all take to prevent disasters like this one in the future. I’m grateful to the scientists, fire officials, survivors and everyday heroes for giving their time and sharing their stories. I hope audiences come away with crucial insight into how humanity can thrive in our ever-changing world”.
Interestingly enough, in an article, Fast Fires, by Ally J. Levine, Clare Farley, Tiana McGee and Daisy Chung Published Jan. 24, 2025, 03:00 AM PST wrote, ‘fast fires are growing faster in the western United States. The fastest of them – termed “fast fires” – often erupt near towns and account for most structural wildfire damage according to researchers who analyzed over 60,000 fires from 2001 to 2020. Fast fires grow about 4,000 acres or more on their fastest day, at least two football fields a minute. ‘
In conclusion, one must insist on remembering that at its peak the California Fast fires were fueled by 100 mph winds. Also, according to Mayor Bass, it was underfunded and undermanned and as a result she fired the LAFD chief for not handling the situation better and for not calling her while she was enroute to Ghana, Africa to inform her of the extreme danger that California was in. Rumors swirl regarding CA Gov. Newsom’s alleged inadequacy, especially in regard to providing adequate water for the fire fighters. In fact, Mel Gibson, the award-winning actor, has called for a recall of Newsom!
Maiya Mays has important and interesting strategies which may help and, in some instances, have spared homes from total incineration in the past already. I agree that preventative planning is helpful and may help save some homes and lives, but I hope that California NEVER has to put those theories into practice against another fire hurricane anytime soon; 100 miles an hour firestorm ain’t no joke!!
(all photos from hosts of LAist)
Professionals interviewed were as follows: L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marro, former U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merril, former L.A. County Fire Chief Derek Alkonis and retired U.S. Forest Service Fire Scientist Jack Cohen, Ph.D., first responders, survivors.
