In the first days of the devastating L.A. fires, LAist worked 24/7 to deliver essential updates across all platforms. Broadcast proved a particularly powerful medium.  Many had lost power, internet access — and sadly — much more were still able to listen to the radio. Throughout Southern California, people told us we were their lifeline. LAist's venerable AirTalk program had just begun its 40th year on the air as 2025 began. 

LAist's headquarters were inundated with smoke and ash. That meant the AirTalk team put on N-95 masks and worked over the whir of industrial air filters to stay on the air an hour extra each day that first week, from 2 to 3 hours of live radio. This hour of the program on Jan. 10, three days after the fires broke out, was part of a statewide special offers to other California NPR stations. It exemplifies LAist's mission to help people navigate both realtime dangers and the aftermath, as well as connect with others who share the grief and worry of the moment. 

One public radio colleague reached out to say: “I’m listening from Miami, and the coverage is spectacular. Local. Personal. Steady. Larry Mantle read a note from a listener who noted they had no cell service and no electricity. It underscores the unmatched power and importance of terrestrial radio during natural disasters.”