Natasha Chen, national correspondent for CNN
The very first day, I watched parents of elementary-aged kids trying to rush past the roadblock in the Pacific Palisades to reach their kids at Marquez Elementary. Officers wouldn’t let anyone past. Many of them parked their cars at the foot of the hill and ran up toward the fire to find their children. I knew that LA Unified was already in the process of trying to evacuate the students. I also knew—as a mom of a 1-year-old—what that could feel like as a parent, doing everything you can to get your child. I could feel their panic. Marquez Elementary ended up being one of the schools that sustained significant damage.
I also won’t forget the people that day going in the OTHER direction, racing down the hill, abandoning their cars and dragging suitcases on foot, pets in tow. Finally, on Thursday, I met a lot of evacuees at the Pasadena Civic Center, one of the evacuation shelters. I spotted my friend that I knew from tap class. As soon as she saw me, she hugged me and broke down. Her house had burned to the ground. This is one of those moments where I felt that a big city became a small town. These fires are so large, in so many places, that everyone knows someone who’s been affected.
Michelle Fisher, co-anchor ABC7 Eyewitness News
As my photographer Tommy Harris and I drove down Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu late Tuesday night, the apocalyptic scene was unlike anything I have ever reported on. It was overwhelming in many ways, to not only see the burning homes, cars, and power poles on both sides of the highway, but also to feel the intense heat from the flames, through our news van. When I felt the heat, that’s when my adrenaline spiked, and I felt uneasy.
Watch behind the scenes footage from ABC News’ wildfires coverage
Kayna Whitworth, anchor for ABC News Live
The conditions are challenging, but it’s important for us to be in them and share with people what’s going on. The Eaton fire was specifically a challenge because winds kept pushing embers toward us.
On a personal note, I used to live in the Palisades area and have been under a mandatory evacuation for the second time in a month. This is a life defining moment, and I take pride in reporting on—and in—my community.
Marc Cota-Robles, anchor for ABC7 Eyewitness News
The most haunting moment is difficult to answer, because there has been so much. From my personal experience of evacuating my children shortly after the fire started, and the intense winds, to seeing the widespread devastation firsthand. So many neighborhoods are reminiscent of a war zone, and that is no exaggeration. Home after home is leveled, and knowing that each property is tied to a family and thinking about the immense loss they have suffered is heartbreaking. On top of that, this is my extended community. I now know multiple people who have lost their homes. It is a community loss. Not only the homes, but the businesses devastated along N Lake Avenue and other areas. Places I have been. My children’s favorite park suffered significant damage. All of that combined is haunting, and I do dip in and out of emotion when the realization becomes overwhelming.
