The eyes of the country are currently on Los Angeles, where 2025’s first climate-related disaster is playing out in real time. On Tuesday, a severe windstorm swept through the L.A. region, igniting several fires that spread to engulf three major areas, including the Pacific Palisades, Eaton Canyon, and Sylmar.
At press time, the wildfires have killed at least two people, and 30,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes. Officials estimate that over 1,000 structures have burned down.
National and local news outlets have been covering the wildfires over the past 24 hours. TVNewser collected the following accounts from correspondents in the field and their teams back in the studio as events unfold. We will continue to update this post as new stories come in.
What’s been the most defining or haunting moment in this story for you so far?
Jasmine Viel, anchor and reporter for CBS News Los Angeles
Covering the Palisades fire was an intense and humbling experience. When the wind suddenly shifted and flying ember suddenly hit me, while live on air, I was okay, but it was scary reminder of how unpredictable and dangerous these situations can be. While we’re trained for moments like this and we have our protective gear and are practicing all safety measures, it doesn’t make them any less real. But we do this work because it matters. Bringing critical information to our viewers—even in the face of danger—is why we do what we do.
Amanda Starrantino, reporter for CBS News Los Angeles
As journalists, we strive to bring our communities the news with composure and clarity, even in the most difficult moments. Covering the Eaton fire today became deeply personal when I realized the neighborhood I was reporting from included the home of close family friend, now reduced to ashes. Balancing my role as a reporter with the emotions of that discovery was one of the hardest moments in my career. Off -air, I made the difficult call to confirm to my friends their home was lost, and then I was back on-air within minutes with the intention to ensure our viewers receive the information they needed during this devastating fire.
Jacob Soboroff, correspondent for NBC News
To see the community I grew up in completely obliterated overnight is an experience I thought—if I ever had—would come with an earthquake. And I never expected it to be this literal firestorm that has overtaken a place that I love so much, so quickly, and do so much harm to so many people.
