Mission

Experiencing the stark contrast between the devastation of the recent Los Angeles fires and the healthy, vibrant green lands was striking and sobering. From the air, it became evident that natural landscapes possess a remarkable ability to recover, whereas the remnants of urban destruction will persist in these communities for years to come. The aerial perspective revealed the fire’s pattern, jumping between man-made structures while leaving much of the surrounding vegetation relatively unscathed. Our flight focused on Altadena and the Pacific Palisades, capturing aerial imagery to support an upcoming ProPublica report examining this historic yet increasingly frequent disaster.

 

These recent fires serve as continued proof of climate change’s human cost. These communities will be forever changed with homes, schools, and entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. While we hope these disasters may drive improvements in fire adaptation and preparedness, a broader, global response is essential. Adaptation alone cannot prevent the destruction seen recently in the LA Basin. As with many challenges facing the landscapes of the American West, the most effective solution lies in meaningful steps to mitigate and curb climate change and reduce the risk of future catastrophic wildfires.

Click for photos from the flights, geo-referenced flight photos, aerial GoPro video.