A Malibu area A fire brigade member who helped save about a dozen homes during the Palisades Fire said that while the community can come together to save property during natural disasters, there is more to do. done by California authorities to prevent wildfires.
Matt Diamond, a local boater, has formed a brigade in his area after 2018 Woolsey's fire – which burned about 100,000 hectares of land, killed three people and forced the evacuation of about 300,000 people – because of what he described as the need to be “firefighters who make a living.”
“We didn't have fire support for it, and it was kind of like all the residents of Malibu had to come together,” Diamond told Fox News Digital. “We stayed and the village manager wouldn't let us in, so we had to vote for food. We had axes, shovels, fire extinguishers, and food carts. and water by boat at Paradise Cove, and we set up a temporary camp. It was fully operational and began patrolling the area, checking for fires and rescuing the neighbors' houses.”
Now, he said, yes Los Angeles Fire Department sees the brigade as an important resource for saving homes and controlling fires, because firefighters sent from other areas do not know the area.
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES RAGE AROSS LOS ANGELES, FORCING THOUSANDS FROM THEIR HOMES.
Matt Diamond, a Malibu boatman, was part of a firefighting team that saved 10 homes during the California wildfires.
When the fire broke out Tuesday, Diamond followed the fire trucks toward Sunset and Pacific Coast Highway, and saw the fire burning in the Palisades. He returned to Malibu, and encountered flames in Tuna Canyon, he said.
“It was dark, and (the wildfire) was going about a quarter of a mile every 30 minutes,” he said. “I had a brigade, ' and it was just taking everything in its path.”
A beach house is engulfed in flames as the Palisades Fire burns along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, on January 8, 2025. (AGUSTIN PAULLIER/AFP via Getty Images)
He went home and packed his belongings, which included many surfboards.
“I've been there surfing big waves at a professional level, and I have a big competition coming up, so I needed these boards,” Diamond said. “I've been working really hard and these are some of the best shaped boards in the best in the world. I took them all to the beach, along with my drums and musical equipment, and I went home and the fire came right into my house, all around it. It was an incredible sight – to speak of a profound experience.”
Diamond began helping to protect his home and neighborhood, along with Santa Barbara firefighters. He said he helped them “convince” him to keep his place.
The next morning, everything was still burning. He said many of his friends in Palisades lost their homes that evening.
“All my great musician friends, in some of the biggest bands in the world, have lost all their Grammys,” he said. “The biggest producers in the world who created the biggest projects, from music to TV and film, with the most amazing memories you've ever seen. It's over. I I've been watching it. Great framed stuff from The Beatles, 60s memorabilia from the Woodstock era – it's all gone.”
When the brigade saved about 10 houses, Diamond said the domino effect is the most important part – saving one house can save four surrounding ones.
The Palisades Fire burns beachfront properties on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
PALISADES FIRE: HEIDI MONTAG, SPENCER PRATT LOSE HOME; PEOPLE LEAVE RITZY NEIGHBORHOOD
The city of Malibu confirmed in a statement Thursday that a resident died in the Palisades Fire.
“This is a sad reminder of the deep impact this fire has had on our community,” officials wrote. “Malibu is more than a village – we are neighbors, friends, and family. Even if we don't know a person's name, his loss is felt by all of us. In times like these, we must come together, support each other; and show Sacrifice that defines our nation.” …
Diamond encouraged every community to contact local first responders and establish communication with authorities.
Matt Diamond photographed the devastation in Malibu, California during the wildfires. (Matt Diamond)
He said that establishing a social network with walkie-talkies and satellite radio phones can also be very useful in times of crisis.
“You get the right clothes and training, get ready, and you're ready to save your community,” Diamond said. “We're going to have more natural disasters. It's going to continue to happen. It's climate change, and it's here to stay and grow. You can learn and arm yourself to help the community of you. It's very empowering, and it's necessary.”
Growing up, he remembered seeing many brush fires. He remembered the forest and the fire system setting up fire lines.
Charred buildings are destroyed, as strong winds fueling wildfires in the Los Angeles area force people to evacuate, in Malibu, California, January 8, 2025. (Daniel Cole/Reuters)
While he admits that sometimes prescribed fires can get out of control, Diamond said they are necessary to protect all.
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He said: “(The government) wants to be shy, in a way, to do what is necessary. “Let two families burn and (the government) is accused by two people, compared to 1,000 houses (are gone) because you didn't do these controlled burns.' The governor (Gavin Newsom) needs to attack this, because everyone is so gracious. . Slow down its administration and just do what needs to be done.”