The Aftermath of the Palisades Fire: Joe Lando’s Heartfelt Reflection
Joe Lando is devastated after losing his home in the Palisades Fire.
“I’m replaying what happened. And I’m getting a little aggravated now because I’m realizing there were so many things that happened that morning that could have possibly made this far less of the disaster that it turned out to be,” Lando remarked, wrestling with the heavy memories of that fateful day.
“I mean, my neighborhood looks like Hiroshima,” the actor explained, the weight of his words echoing the profound destruction surrounding him.
Palisades Resilience: A Community in Crisis
Lando observed that a part of Pacific Palisades remained intact, earning the nickname “Carusoville” among residents. “Rick Caruso, a land developer-builder, bought a little part of our town and put some stores there,” he shared. “And he had his own private fire department there, I believe, on Tuesday, and that’s the only thing that’s left standing. And you could hit one of his buildings from my house with a rock.”
“I mean, my neighborhood looks like Hiroshima.”
In the chaos that unfolded, Lando’s thoughts drifted to the necessity of protection, both for property and people. “My son Christian and I, we stayed behind to fight the fire for hours. I mean hours. [We] dumped water on top of my roof, my neighbor’s roof,” he recalled with a contemplative air.
“But I was concerned. If that catches fire, you’ll catch my house on fire and my other neighbors. So, we were hosing down, you know, each other’s homes for a bit. And then people certainly slowly drop off. And Christian and I stayed there till the very, very end,” Lando said, reflecting on the camaraderie that emerged in his community during their battle against the flames.
Ultimately, the odds became too great, forcing Lando and his son to evacuate. Their journey led them to his son’s apartment in Santa Monica, where the sight of familiar faces added to the bittersweet refuge from the wildfires.
“And, you know, like I’ve said before, if it was just my house, this wouldn’t be as tough to bear. But it’s everybody, and it’s everything we know. It’s our world,” Lando mused, revealing the deep connection to his neighbors and his love for the larger community.
“They were three-bedroom, two-bath houses that belonged to elderly folks. They’re never going to be able to rebuild here again. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to rebuild because, three months before this fire, the insurance company, Allstate, dropped my entire street,” Lando explained, his frustration surfacing with each recollection of loss.
He pointed out a reservoir that had remained “empty” for the last year and a half. Lando stated, “That would have meant helicopters could have been to the fire in literally seconds instead of having to go all the way to the ocean and fill up and come back again to drop it because the fire was right there.”
The Shadow of Suspicion
With a heavy heart, Lando expressed a growing conviction: “I am convinced someone started the Palisades Fire.” His certainty stemmed from a distinct memory of the fire’s origin. “It was Skull Rock. Somebody walked in. They started that fire,” he asserted emphatically.
Lando’s perspective echoed sentiments from others, yet officials had yet to confirm any cause. “The cause of the fire remains unknown, and it continues to be under active investigation,” Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley stated, leaving many with unanswered questions.
Lando’s thoughts turned to gratitude as he reflected on the heroes among the ashes, stating, “I want to first thank all the firefighters, first responders — people that helped try to save our homes. It is such a dangerous job, one we don’t appreciate until you live through what I just lived through with my son and my family.”
During the chaos, the support of friends shone bright. Jane Seymour, his fellow “Dr. Quinn” co-star, opened her home to Lando and his family, providing a much-needed safe haven. “My wife and I spent the night in a hotel,” he recalled, “Things are just still burning out of control. It was very smoky. And Jane said, ‘Come up here. There’s no smoke up here. The air is clear.’ They didn’t have water or power here, but that doesn’t matter. It was a safe place where the air was clear,” he shared, appreciating the warmth of friendship in dark times.
In reflecting on the tragedy, Lando offered a poignant reminder: “This has done something where it’s brought out the best. As always, these tragedies bring out the best of us. If we could only hang on to these feelings and remember them, you know, when we get so down on each other.” His words lingered, a call for solidarity amid the ashes, evoking the strength found in community even in the wake of despair.
