Joe Lando Compares Palisades Fire Aftermath to Hiroshima, Blames Arson

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Actor Joe Lando, best known for his role in “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” has described the devastation caused by the Palisades Fire as akin to “Hiroshima,” after losing his home in the blaze that ravaged the Pacific Palisades neighborhood last week.

In an emotional interview with Fox News Digital on Thursday, Lando recounted the harrowing experience of staying behind with his son to fight the flames before ultimately being forced to evacuate. “Everything is gone,” he said. “I’m replaying what happened. And I’m getting a little aggravated now because I’m realizing there were so many things that could have made this far less of a disaster.”

The fire, which began on Jan. 9, 2025, destroyed thousands of structures in the affluent Los Angeles community. Lando pointed to a lack of preparedness, including an empty reservoir behind his home that could have provided crucial water for firefighting efforts. “That would have meant helicopters could have been to the fire in literally seconds,” he said.

Lando also expressed frustration with his insurance company, Allstate, which dropped coverage for his entire street just three months before the fire. “They were three-bedroom, two-bath houses that belonged to elderly folks. They’re never going to be able to rebuild here again,” he said. “I don’t know if I’m going to be able to rebuild.”

The actor is convinced the fire was intentionally set. “I saw right where it was. This wasn’t the climate. This wasn’t a downed power line,” he said. “Somebody walked in. They started that fire.” However, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley stated that the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Despite the devastation, Lando expressed gratitude for the firefighters and first responders who battled the blaze. “I want to first thank all the firefighters, first responders, people that helped try to save our homes,” he said. “It is such a dangerous job, one we don’t appreciate until you live through what I just lived through.”

Lando also shared a touching moment of support from his “Dr. Quinn” co-star, Jane Seymour, who offered him refuge during the evacuation. “Jane said, ‘Come up here. There’s no smoke up here. The air is clear,'” he recalled. “I just thank God that there’s somebody like Jane.”

The Palisades Fire has left the community grappling with loss and uncertainty, as residents like Lando face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives.