Malibu resident recounts escape from Palisades fires with son

Tara Roth, a Malibu resident, recounts her experience fleeing the Palisades fires on January 7. Initially feeling unwell, she was alerted to the fire by an unusual orange light outside her window and evacuation alerts on her phone. As she attempted to leave, traffic was gridlocked, and she witnessed flames nearby. After abandoning her car, she ran to safety and eventually reunited with her son, Dane, at a nearby evacuation center. After the chaos, they found temporary refuge at a friend's apartment. Despite the uncertainty about their home, Roth felt a sense of disconnection from the situation, focusing on immediate needs rather than the potential loss.