Noah Haggerty
@nohaggerty.bsky.social
Wildfire and clean energy reporter at the Los Angeles Times. Retired rookie physicist
Pinned
Noah Haggerty
@nohaggerty.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Hey Bluesky! I’m a science and environment reporter at @latimes.com. Follow for the latest on how California is working to meet its conservation and clean energy goals, protect residents against wildfires and stay a global leader in science 🔭🧬🌴🔥
One year after the fires. I’ve been so honored to cover these beautiful, resilient communities over the past year — starting with the terrifying Palisades evacuation on Jan. 7, 2025. I’m looking forward to spend another year by your side. www.latimes.com/california/s...
Survivors in Palisades and Altadena mark anniversary of deadly fires with anger and mourning
A year after two of the most destructive wildfires in California history erupted, survivors commemorated the day in Altadena and Pacific Palisades with anger and remembrance.
www.latimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:54 PM
One year after the fires. I’ve been so honored to cover these beautiful, resilient communities over the past year — starting with the terrifying Palisades evacuation on Jan. 7, 2025. I’m looking forward to spend another year by your side. www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
Fire safety advocates are teaming with NIMBY homeowners to sue Los Angeles over new development: www.latimes.com/environment/... via @nohaggerty.bsky.social
L.A. City ignored fire safety as it permitted development in high risk areas, lawsuit alleges
A lawsuit filed Dec. 23 provides 75 examples of building plans seemingly in violation of fire safety regulations designed to improve evacuations and firefighter access.
www.latimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Fire safety advocates are teaming with NIMBY homeowners to sue Los Angeles over new development: www.latimes.com/environment/... via @nohaggerty.bsky.social
L.A. City ignored state fire safety regulations as it permitted development in high risk areas, a new lawsuit alleges:
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
L.A. City ignored fire safety as it permitted development in high risk areas, lawsuit alleges
A lawsuit filed Dec. 23 provides 75 examples of building plans seemingly in violation of fire safety regulations designed to improve evacuations and firefighter access.
www.latimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:55 PM
L.A. City ignored state fire safety regulations as it permitted development in high risk areas, a new lawsuit alleges:
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
A new report shows California’s controversial Zone Zero requirements helped save homes in the Palisades and Eaton fires — but some experts warned the insurance-backed investigation doesn’t tell the full story: www.latimes.com/environment/...
Early adopters of 'zone zero' fared better in L.A. County fires, insurance-backed investigation finds
A new study found that in the Eaton and Palisades fires, homes that had already adopted proposed regulations on creating vegetation-free buffers were less likely to burn.
www.latimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:47 PM
A new report shows California’s controversial Zone Zero requirements helped save homes in the Palisades and Eaton fires — but some experts warned the insurance-backed investigation doesn’t tell the full story: www.latimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
Here’s a brief and welcome respite from the mantra of don’t-burn-in -SoCal-it’s-not-like-the-Sierra:
“Emily Burgueno calls them ‘sovereign burns… grounded in our creation stories, our sacred beliefs and philosophy.’”
@nohaggerty.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/environment/...
“Emily Burgueno calls them ‘sovereign burns… grounded in our creation stories, our sacred beliefs and philosophy.’”
@nohaggerty.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/environment/...
Can California learn to let Native American fire practitioners burn freely?
Indigenous fire practices are slowly regaining wider acceptance in California, but the dream of burning freely based on the needs of the land is still a long way off.
www.latimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Here’s a brief and welcome respite from the mantra of don’t-burn-in -SoCal-it’s-not-like-the-Sierra:
“Emily Burgueno calls them ‘sovereign burns… grounded in our creation stories, our sacred beliefs and philosophy.’”
@nohaggerty.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/environment/...
“Emily Burgueno calls them ‘sovereign burns… grounded in our creation stories, our sacred beliefs and philosophy.’”
@nohaggerty.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/environment/...
We talked to fire ecologists and fire service veterans about that Topanga State Park Wildfire Plan … Bottom line: 1) No, it doesn’t make sense to leave it “to burn.” 2) The restrictions for areas with sensitive plants & cultural sites are pretty standard: www.latimes.com/california/s...
Document raises new questions about restrictions on Jan. 1 Lachman fire mop-up
The Wildfire Management Plan for Topanga State Park sets out guidelines and restrictions. It's unclear if the document hampered mop-up of the Lachman fire.
www.latimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:54 AM
We talked to fire ecologists and fire service veterans about that Topanga State Park Wildfire Plan … Bottom line: 1) No, it doesn’t make sense to leave it “to burn.” 2) The restrictions for areas with sensitive plants & cultural sites are pretty standard: www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
I know an elderly couple with a cabin in Boulder County. They no longer drive at night & know they can't in a smoky firestorm. When Chinook/Santa Ana winds are forecast, they batten down their cabin and stay in central Boulder until the high risk passes.
November 24, 2025 at 11:10 PM
I know an elderly couple with a cabin in Boulder County. They no longer drive at night & know they can't in a smoky firestorm. When Chinook/Santa Ana winds are forecast, they batten down their cabin and stay in central Boulder until the high risk passes.
A court has ordered Cal Fire to amend one of its vegetation removal programs after ecology organizations argued the agency failed to address the risk of flammable grasses growing where vegetation was removed, inadvertently making the wildfire risk worse: www.latimes.com/environment/...
Cal Fire approach to SoCal's wildfire crisis could make things worse, court says
A statewide Cal Fire program risks making fires worse by removing native chaparral and allowing the spread of more flammable grasses, a court ruled.
www.latimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:16 PM
A court has ordered Cal Fire to amend one of its vegetation removal programs after ecology organizations argued the agency failed to address the risk of flammable grasses growing where vegetation was removed, inadvertently making the wildfire risk worse: www.latimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
@nohaggerty.bsky.social's LA Times article about wildfire evacuation challenges reminded me how indispensable my e-bike was in the Palisades fire.
November 24, 2025 at 9:12 PM
@nohaggerty.bsky.social's LA Times article about wildfire evacuation challenges reminded me how indispensable my e-bike was in the Palisades fire.
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
We wrote a paper about wildfire shelter-in-place ideas in 2009 - headed by Scott Stephens with AUS colleagues - and they have always been largely and pretty vocally opposed by the fire service…until now? iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
November 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
We wrote a paper about wildfire shelter-in-place ideas in 2009 - headed by Scott Stephens with AUS colleagues - and they have always been largely and pretty vocally opposed by the fire service…until now? iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
We’ve had what felt like bad fires here twice in the past few years. The highway was shut down, all of the semi traffic took to back roads and 4-way stops.
For hours, with roads blocked, I had no exit.
I had a snorkel by my back door and planned to hunker down in our wildlife pond if I had to.
For hours, with roads blocked, I had no exit.
I had a snorkel by my back door and planned to hunker down in our wildlife pond if I had to.
LA County Fire Dept is now telling residents in Topanga that if evacuation is not possible, they need to shelter in their homes. It’s a policy that, historically, has proven incredibly dangerous, but the department says it has no better options. My latest: www.latimes.com/environment/...
Can you survive a wildfire sheltering at home? For one community, L.A. County Fire says it may be the only option
L.A. County Fire plans to order Topanga residents to shelter-in-place if evacuating from fire isn't possible. It's raised concern from experts and residents, but the department says it has no other op...
www.latimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:56 PM
We’ve had what felt like bad fires here twice in the past few years. The highway was shut down, all of the semi traffic took to back roads and 4-way stops.
For hours, with roads blocked, I had no exit.
I had a snorkel by my back door and planned to hunker down in our wildlife pond if I had to.
For hours, with roads blocked, I had no exit.
I had a snorkel by my back door and planned to hunker down in our wildlife pond if I had to.
LA County Fire Dept is now telling residents in Topanga that if evacuation is not possible, they need to shelter in their homes. It’s a policy that, historically, has proven incredibly dangerous, but the department says it has no better options. My latest: www.latimes.com/environment/...
Can you survive a wildfire sheltering at home? For one community, L.A. County Fire says it may be the only option
L.A. County Fire plans to order Topanga residents to shelter-in-place if evacuating from fire isn't possible. It's raised concern from experts and residents, but the department says it has no other op...
www.latimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:36 PM
LA County Fire Dept is now telling residents in Topanga that if evacuation is not possible, they need to shelter in their homes. It’s a policy that, historically, has proven incredibly dangerous, but the department says it has no better options. My latest: www.latimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
Many of Altadena's standing homes are still contaminated with lead and asbestos even after cleanup
Many of Altadena's standing homes are still contaminated with lead and asbestos even after cleanup
A study led by a community group found that even after cleanups were supposedly complete, many standing homes in Altadena remain contaminated with lead and asbestos.
www.latimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Many of Altadena's standing homes are still contaminated with lead and asbestos even after cleanup
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
Great piece about why Zone Zero rulemaking is complicated for a state as big and diverse as CA. Thanks @nohaggerty.bsky.social for the clarity, and to the many (mostly) SoCal voices of reason including Max Moritz @ucanr.edu for improving the outcomes.
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
How Zone Zero, designed to protect California homes from wildfire, became plagued with controversy and delays
California needs new rules to help future wildfires from destroying homes and businesses. But Zone Zero regulations, a key tenet of the state's plans, have roiled homeowners.
www.latimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Great piece about why Zone Zero rulemaking is complicated for a state as big and diverse as CA. Thanks @nohaggerty.bsky.social for the clarity, and to the many (mostly) SoCal voices of reason including Max Moritz @ucanr.edu for improving the outcomes.
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
First edition of Boiling Point since I left the LA Times, and it's a good one. @nohaggerty.bsky.social wrote about the importance of different strategies to limit wildfire damage in NorCal and SoCal: www.latimes.com/environment/...
The state's wildfire policy long overlooked SoCal. Now it's course correcting
State leaders have long understood Northern California's wildfire crisis and are investing resources to solve it. But in Southern California, the problem is more confounding.
www.latimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:51 PM
First edition of Boiling Point since I left the LA Times, and it's a good one. @nohaggerty.bsky.social wrote about the importance of different strategies to limit wildfire damage in NorCal and SoCal: www.latimes.com/environment/...
Excited to share I’m joining a stellar team of @latimes.com environment reporters to write our Boiling Point newsletter. Every week, we’ll rotate, giving you the latest news on water, air, land, fire and critters. Today: Why SoCal’s fire problem is so vexing
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
The state's wildfire policy long overlooked SoCal. Now it's course correcting
State leaders have long understood Northern California's wildfire crisis and are investing resources to solve it. But in Southern California, the problem is more confounding.
www.latimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Excited to share I’m joining a stellar team of @latimes.com environment reporters to write our Boiling Point newsletter. Every week, we’ll rotate, giving you the latest news on water, air, land, fire and critters. Today: Why SoCal’s fire problem is so vexing
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
Man, machine and mutton: Inside the plan to prevent the next SoCal fire disaster
Man, machine and mutton: Inside the plan to prevent the next SoCal fire disaster
Local fire crews are launching a sweeping effort to prevent future wildfires in the Santa Monica Mountains. It entails using both animals and machines to create fire breaks — a controversial solution in Southern California.
www.latimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Man, machine and mutton: Inside the plan to prevent the next SoCal fire disaster
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
The in-depth tale of 2 mobile home parks, post Palisades fire, by @nohaggerty.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
October 13, 2025 at 3:53 PM
The in-depth tale of 2 mobile home parks, post Palisades fire, by @nohaggerty.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
Why won't the federal government help rebuild one of the few affordable communities in Pacific Palisades? @nohaggerty.bsky.social investigates: www.latimes.com/environment/...
Why an affordable slice of L.A. paradise might never recover from the Palisades fire
The Pacific Palisades Bowl mobile home park is still riddled with fire debris, months after the park next door was cleaned up. Residents are feeling frustrated and helpless.
www.latimes.com
October 13, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Why won't the federal government help rebuild one of the few affordable communities in Pacific Palisades? @nohaggerty.bsky.social investigates: www.latimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
California needs biomass energy to meet its wildfire goals. Its projects keep going South
California needs biomass energy to meet its wildfire goals. Its projects keep going South
California needs to burn vegetation both for wildfire mitigation and to generate power. So why do biomass energy projects keep leaving the state?
www.latimes.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:26 PM
California needs biomass energy to meet its wildfire goals. Its projects keep going South
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
Should we be frustrated or relieved that California biomass companies are flocking to build projects in the South instead of here? Super informative story by my colleague @nohaggerty.bsky.social: www.latimes.com/environment/...
California needs biomass energy to meet its wildfire goals. Its projects keep going South
California needs to burn vegetation both for wildfire mitigation and to generate power. So why do biomass energy projects keep leaving the state?
www.latimes.com
September 30, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Should we be frustrated or relieved that California biomass companies are flocking to build projects in the South instead of here? Super informative story by my colleague @nohaggerty.bsky.social: www.latimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
The L.A. wildfire cleanup was fast. Residents eager to rebuild worry officials chose speed over safety. My latest w/ Tony & @nohaggerty.bsky.social @latimes.com:
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
The L.A. wildfire cleanup was fast. Residents eager to rebuild worry officials chose speed over safety
The federal cleanup of the Altadena and Pacific Palisades fires was in some ways a historic achievement. But many residents are worried that by moving fast, the results were compromised.
www.latimes.com
September 22, 2025 at 10:44 PM
The L.A. wildfire cleanup was fast. Residents eager to rebuild worry officials chose speed over safety. My latest w/ Tony & @nohaggerty.bsky.social @latimes.com:
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
The L.A. wildfire cleanup: Experts worry that the rapid pace of the cleanup resulted in sloppy work and lax oversight that may ultimately cost homeowners. www.latimes.com/environment/... @latimes.com
The L.A. wildfire cleanup was fast. Residents eager to rebuild worry officials chose speed over safety
The federal cleanup of the Altadena and Pacific Palisades fires was in some ways a historic achievement. But many residents are worried that by moving fast, the results were compromised.
www.latimes.com
September 22, 2025 at 5:48 PM
The L.A. wildfire cleanup: Experts worry that the rapid pace of the cleanup resulted in sloppy work and lax oversight that may ultimately cost homeowners. www.latimes.com/environment/... @latimes.com
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
The L.A. wildfire cleanup was fast. Residents eager to rebuild worry officials chose speed over safety
The L.A. wildfire cleanup was fast. Residents eager to rebuild worry officials chose speed over safety
The federal cleanup of the Altadena and Pacific Palisades fires was in some ways a historic achievement. But many residents are worried that by moving fast, the results were compromised.
www.latimes.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:15 AM
The L.A. wildfire cleanup was fast. Residents eager to rebuild worry officials chose speed over safety
Reposted by Noah Haggerty
After the Eaton & Palisades fires, LA County residents were worried about contamination in their soil, air, and water. But fewer than half could get testing, leaving many without answers and deepening mistrust.
@nohaggerty.bsky.social in @latimes.com: www.latimes.com/environment/...
@nohaggerty.bsky.social in @latimes.com: www.latimes.com/environment/...
After the trauma of the fires, survivors faced worry over contamination, struggled to find testing
With limited resources and scarce information, L.A. fire survivors remain worried about contamination and unable to get environmental testing.
www.latimes.com
September 20, 2025 at 1:30 PM
After the Eaton & Palisades fires, LA County residents were worried about contamination in their soil, air, and water. But fewer than half could get testing, leaving many without answers and deepening mistrust.
@nohaggerty.bsky.social in @latimes.com: www.latimes.com/environment/...
@nohaggerty.bsky.social in @latimes.com: www.latimes.com/environment/...