Mike Rowe says Palisades fire ‘could have been avoided’ and criticises California policy choices

What was said

"“Three miles from here, I watch my friends houses go up in flames in the Palisades in a fire that could have been avoided and should have been avoided. And I just see so many things whether it's the squandering. We're so rich in resources, whether it's energy or timber, and we're so twisted up in our in our willingness to leverage that great good fortune.”"

Television host and foundation CEO Mike Rowe says he watched friends’ houses burn in the Palisades fire from nearby and argues the blaze “could have been avoided”. He links the disaster to what he describes as California policies with “unintended consequences”, including what he calls a reluctance to use the state’s natural resources and a business environment that drives firms away.