Thread by @joelpollak

Just got back from a visit to the #PalisadesFire, a little over 24 hrs after evacuating. It is NOT safe & there are active fires as well as live power lines. This is what I was able to see & record. (Note: I will be doing a Space here at 8:00 pm PT to describe more fully.) (1/15)

Much of Pacific Palisades is completely destroyed. The Alphabet Streets; the University Streets; much of Marquez Knolls; some homes in the Huntington; much of the Village (with a few exceptions); the El Medio Bluffs; many public buildings. I could not get to the Highlands. (2/15)

This is what is left of Tahitian Terrace. The burned car reminded me of damage I saw in Israel after October 7 (though the context is different, and no one died in the Palisades). Fires were still smoldering on the ground and the higher reaches of the road looked dangerous (3/15)

This is my neighborhood, Marquez Knolls. Almost every home is destroyed, with few exceptions. People have lost everything. There are bizarre exceptions: one neighbor’s house is totally gone but his cars outside were untouched. To my neighbors: I am so sorry. No other words (4/15)

This is my house. It is one of the only ones left standing. The ficus trees partly shielded it from the wind. But here’s the incredible thing: my fence melted. I found the garden hose fully extended. Some anonymous neighbor or firefighter fought the fire. That’s Palisades. (5/15)

More devastation: Marquez Charter School is apparently destroyed (it was too dangerous for me to get closer). The Presbyterian Church; a house on Las Casas; a home across Palisades Drive off Paseo Miramar. All destroyed. Just a few snapshots of the disaster, still ongoing. (6/15)

Note: due to weak connection the upload was interrupted. The rest of this thread is posted separately @joelpollak.