Podcast:The Daily Published On: Tue Jan 14 2025 Description: A week after fires broke out in the Los Angeles area, Californians are grappling with the widespread destruction.They’re also seeking answers from their leaders about why so much has been lost.Mike Baker and Christopher Flavelle, who have been covering the fires, discuss the authorities’ response and whether some of the devastation could have been avoided.Guests: Mike Baker, a national reporter for The New York Times.Christopher Flavelle, a reporter for The New York Times.Background reading: Some Pacific Palisades residents said the community had long asked for more detailed fire preparation plans.The L.A. fires show the limits of America’s efforts to cope with climate change.How Los Angeles firefighters ran out of water.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.