Weathered: Inside the LA Firestorm
In this special, host and science communicator Maiya May investigates the root cause of the recent LA wildfires and uncovers how communities can better prepare for future disasters.
To explain the breakdown of conditions that led to this extreme weather event, WEATHERED: INSIDE THE LA FIRESTORM interviews survivors, scientists, first responders, and public officials, including former U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merril, former LA County Fire Chief Derek Alkonis, retired U.S. Forest Service Fire Scientist Jack Cohen, Ph.D., and LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marro.
Throughout the special, Maiya also helps audiences understand the history and science behind urban firestorms in the U.S. From record-breaking heat and prolonged drought to the challenges of firefighting in extreme winds; she learns how a perfect storm of conditions turned these LA fires into a historic catastrophe. How do we protect homes, lives, and communities in an emerging era of large wildfires? What role does the community have in mitigating future disasters? Maiya gets to the bottom of these questions and also takes audiences to the Institute for Business and Home Safety Lab in South Carolina, where researchers simulate urban fire conditions to find ways to make communities more resilient.
“WEATHERED started as a series that aimed to educate the public on our most common natural disasters, how they’re changing, and what we can do to prepare,” said Maiya May, host of WEATHERED: INSIDE THE LA FIRESTORM. “In the wake of the tragic LA 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."
WEATHERED: INSIDE THE LA FIRESTORM was developed in response to the recent devastation in Los Angeles. The popular PBS Digital Studios YouTube series WEATHERED has amassed more than 30 million views on PBS Terra since 2020, and the long-form spinoff WEATHERED: EARTH’S EXTREMES immerses audiences in some of the most powerful and transformative weather on earth. The series aims to help audiences understand the big-picture shifts in weather patterns while empowering them to plan, prepare, and offset the impact of these events.
“WEATHERED: INSIDE THE LA FIRESTORM taps into one of public media’s greatest strengths: our PBS member stations embedded in communities across the country,” said Adam Dylewski, Senior Director of Multiplatform Programming at PBS. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with PBS SoCal on this timely special and to provide audiences with authentic stories about the personal impact of extreme weather. We hope that it serves as a resource for those directly impacted by the fires, as well as for anyone interested in learning how disasters like this one can be prevented in the future.”
“With Los Angeles forever transformed by these unprecedented fires, this program celebrates the resiliency of our community,” said Tamara Gould, PBS SoCal Chief Content Officer. “It is times like this, that remind those of us in public media that our commitment to serve Southern California’s people is at the heart of everything we do. From sharing critical resources to providing vital information in order to meet the urgent needs of our viewers, we are here to serve our community, no matter the circumstances.”
