One Month Ago: Pacific Palisades Wildfires Destroyed My Home And Tahitian Terrace

Some of my neighbors are still reeling from the shock of it all.
By John Amato — February 7, 2025

At 11:55 AM on January 7, 2025, I was finishing up a Zoom call when there was a loud knock at my door.

I put the call on hold and answered the door. A worried neighbor asked me if I was starting to pack.

I didn't know what she was alluding to, since I was busy working on some articles before the Zoom call.

I stepped outside and saw smoke billowing in the distance, a sight I'd never seen in Tahitian Terrace. In that instant, my life and the lives of my friends and neighbors changed.

It didn't take long for the hellfire to ravage the Terrace and upend the lives of all those who lived there. I can't believe a month went by. Some days are a blur, and others are vivid.

I haven't discussed this event except in one interview and a few quick social media posts, but I will in the coming weeks.

I'm so grateful to the C&L community for your support and the C&L team that keeps C&L humming daily.

Can you help us out?

For over 20 years we have been exposing Washington lies and untangling media deceit, but social media is limiting our ability to attract new readers. Please give a one-time or recurring donation, or buy a year's subscription for an ad-free experience. Thank you.

Become a subscriber:
 
Make a donation:

If you don't mind the ads and would rather donate, please select one of the options below:

Kindest
Donate via PayPal
Via Snail Mail
payable to: Crooksandliars
528 Palisades Drive
Ste 548
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Explore more

Discussion

We welcome relevant, respectful comments. Any comments that are sexist or in any other way deemed hateful by our staff will be deleted and constitute grounds for a ban from posting on the site. Please refer to our Terms of Service for information on our posting policy.
Mastodon