In the face of California's escalating wildfire crisis, local communities are stepping up to protect their homes and neighborhoods.
Matt Diamond, a Malibu resident and member of a neighborhood fire brigade, has been at the forefront of these efforts. He has called for more action from state officials to mitigate the wildfire threat, while also emphasizing the power of community resilience.
Diamond, a local surfer, established the fire brigade in his neighborhood in the aftermath of the devastating 2018 Woolsey Fire. This disaster claimed three lives, forced nearly 300,000 people to evacuate, and ravaged almost 100,000 acres of land. According to Fox News, Diamond saw the need for his community to become "self-sustaining firefighters."
"We didn't have any fire support for that one, and it was kind of all the Malibu residents who had to band together," Diamond shared with Fox News Digital. He recounted how the community had to rely on their own resources, with axes, shovels, firefighting equipment, food, and water brought in by boat to Paradise Cove. They set up a makeshift camp and began patrolling the neighborhood, checking for spot fires and saving homes.
The Los Angeles Fire Department now recognizes the brigade as a crucial resource in fire management and home protection. Diamond explained that local knowledge is invaluable, as firefighters brought in from other areas may not be familiar with the terrain.
When the Palisades Fire broke out, Diamond was on the front lines. He followed fire trucks to the scene, observed the fire's progression, and then returned to Malibu to confront the flames at Tuna Canyon. "It was dark, and [the wildfire] was moving about a quarter mile every 30 minutes," he said. "I was with the brigade, and it was just taking everything in its path."
Diamond's commitment to his community extended to his personal property. He packed up his belongings, including his prized surfboards, and then returned to his home to face the fire. He described the sight of the fire engulfing his house as an "amazing sight - talk about an immersive experience."
Working alongside Santa Barbara firefighters, Diamond managed to protect his home and his neighborhood. He also helped save about ten other homes, emphasizing the domino effect of these efforts - saving one house could potentially save the surrounding four as well.
However, the fire's toll was heavy. Diamond revealed that many of his friends from the Palisades lost their homes, and valuable memorabilia from some of the world's biggest bands and producers was destroyed. "It's just gone. I was just watching it. Beautiful things framed from The Beatles, the craziest 60s Woodstock-era memorabilia - all gone."
The City of Malibu confirmed a resident's death in the Palisades Fire, a stark reminder of the devastating impact of these disasters. "This is a painful reminder of the profound impact this fire is having on our community," officials wrote. "Malibu is more than a city - we are neighbors, friends, and family. Even when we dont know someones name, their loss is felt by all of us. In times like this, we must come together, support one another, and show the resilience that defines our community"
Diamond urged communities to establish communication lines with local first responders and officials, and to equip themselves with the necessary gear and training. "We're only going to have more natural disasters. It's just going to continuously happen. It's climate evolution, and it's here to stay and only grow. Might as well educate yourself and be armed to help your community. It's very empowering, and it's necessary."
Diamond also called for more proactive measures from the government, such as controlled burns, to prevent larger-scale disasters. He criticized the government's hesitance to implement these measures due to potential lawsuits. "Say two homes burn and [the government] gets sued by two people, versus 1,000 homes [gone] because you didn't do these controlled burns. The governor [Gavin Newsom] needs to attack this, because everyone's pretty much at their mercy. Cut through the bureaucracy of it and just do what needs to be done."
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