For TV reporters covering fires in L.A., the tragedy gets personal

Journalist Jacob Soboroff, a well-established NBC News reporter deeply connected to the local community, guided viewers through the remnants of his family’s previous residence situated on Frontera Drive, Pacific Palisades.

This week, Soboroff paid a visit to the location of a playground nearby, which he used to frolic at as a child. Previously run by his father, a prominent community figure named Steve Soboroff, this recreational area had undergone renovation following its deterioration. Regrettably, it no longer exists. Moreover, the house of his pregnant sister’s in-laws, which she temporarily resided in during her home’s remodeling, was demolished as well.

Previously residing in Pacific Palisades, Soboroff is no longer a local. However, he navigates the town’s transformed streets with such familiarity that it seems as if he has a mental Google map of the area, according to his statements to The Times.

He commented, “The images I see don’t align with my bodily recollections.” Growing up there, we’d practice earthquake drills at school. It seems as though these scenes depict what the city might look like following a major quake, rather than after a wildfire.

1) Nowadays, those emotions resonate deeply. As vast sections of Los Angeles were engulfed in flames this past week, it provided numerous opportunities for the local news reporters to share their insights on television.

Over the past few days, a devastating wildfire has captured national attention, affecting Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and other communities. This disaster has overshadowed significant news events like former President Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump’s sentencing in his New York hush money case, due to extensive television news coverage since Tuesday. The unprecedented blaze has been broadcasting shocking visuals across screens nationwide.

For Los Angeles-based reporters, constantly working since the fires started, one of the most difficult tasks has been managing their personal emotions, apprehensions, and feelings of sorrow as they covered the transformation of their hometown into landscapes reminiscent of war zones.

Jonathan Hunt, a reporter for Fox News, shared updates on a fire approaching Palisades Charter High School, where his 17-year-old daughter attends classes. As he kept viewers informed about the danger, privately, he harbored concerns that the school might revert to remote learning again, potentially disrupting her education following a pandemic-induced year away from classroom instruction.

Relieved, Hunt found that the school had sustained only minor damage, but heartbreakingly, places he often visited with his kids, cherished landmarks in the local area, were completely destroyed.

He mentioned that he had been exploring the town’s neighborhood recently, and a significant portion of the shopping districts seems to have closed down. The Starbucks we frequently visited after school is no longer there.

Nick Watt, a seasoned CNN reporter, shared with viewers on Wednesday that upon wrapping up his reporting, he intended to water down his house in Santa Monica, as a precaution against stray embers igniting a fire.

He remarked, “It’s quite remarkable to tackle such an issue within your very own neighborhood.” Over the years, he has reported on numerous fires. Now, instead of just feeling sympathetic towards those affected, he finds himself experiencing a deeper understanding and compassion – empathy.

Reporters mentioned being overwhelmed with requests from West Coast contacts, acquaintances, and even strangers, seeking confirmation that their homes were still intact.

Soboroth observed that broadcasting his reports on NBC News Now and platforms like TikTok generated global inquiries. On certain occasions, he was confident without even checking, as entire neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades had clearly been devastated.

In addition, Hunt also got queries, and took the initiative with Kennedy, a previous MTV presenter who currently contributes to Fox News.

Kennedy, situated in New York, requested Hunt to step into her Palisades residence, which was just under 100 yards away from buildings that had been burnt down. Her intention was for him to find specific framed family photos and artworks crafted by her children within the premises. Upon entering the undamaged building, he also collected a sword that belonged to one of Kennedy’s relatives, who had preserved it from World War I.

Hunt expressed his relief, saying, “I had been apprehensive about visiting my friend’s place and being asked to share an image of debris.” He added, “Fortunately, I didn’t have to do it.

On Tuesday morning, seasoned Los Angeles correspondent for NewsNation, Nancy Loo, along with her cameraman Nathan Fiery, were on duty. Since joining the network in 2020, they have reported extensively on wildfires across the West Coast. Spotting smoke pointing towards Culver City, they decided to head towards the fire.

Loo decided to work for NewsNation in order to be near her family, who fortunately avoided the peril and devastation. However, Fiery had been forced to leave his house in the Hollywood Hills due to evacuation, and he labored under the apprehension that it might not survive (but it did).

Loo initially established her career as a news anchor based in New York, who worked tirelessly for eight hours during the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. Later, she transitioned to working as a reporter at Chicago’s WGN, often beginning her day by reporting on a homicide that had taken place overnight.

Processing the devastation of Pacific Palisades is just one more painful event among numerous ones she’s encountered throughout her lengthy profession.

“I’ve learned to compartmentalize because it does take an emotional toll,” Loo said.

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2025-01-11 14:31