Expert Warns of Palisades Fire Aftermath Mirroring 9/11 Sickness Crisis

Prominent 9/11 victims' advocate says California officials failed to protect residents from toxic fumes, leading to potential long-term health issues.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 9:07pm

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Michael Barasch, an attorney who represents thousands of 9/11 first responders and survivors, is cautioning that the devastating Palisades fire in Los Angeles last year could lead to deadly respiratory illnesses for thousands of residents, similar to the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City. Barasch blasted California officials for not doing enough to warn residents of the dangers of breathing in fumes from the deadly blaze.

Why it matters

The Palisades fire caused billions in damages and the loss of nearly 13,000 homes in the area. Barasch, a 9/11 cancer survivor himself, says he expects the fire's survivors to experience similar respiratory illnesses as those seen after 9/11, due to officials' failure to educate residents on the risks of toxic fumes and the need for proper protection.

The details

Barasch, who represented 9/11 first responder James Zadroga, says officials should have told residents returning after the fire to wear respiratory protection and have their homes professionally cleaned. He believes a fund should be started to compensate Palisades fire survivors, similar to the one created after 9/11. Medical experts at UCLA have also seen adverse health effects in survivors long after the tragedy.

  • The Palisades Fire occurred in January 2025.
  • Rebuilding in the charred area is still underway.

The players

Michael Barasch

An attorney who represents thousands of 9/11 first responders and survivors, and a 9/11 cancer survivor himself.

James Zadroga

A New York City Police Department officer who died of lung disease at age 34 from toxic dust associated with 9/11.

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California.

Karen Bass

The Mayor of Los Angeles.

David Eisenman, MD

Professor-in-residence at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the Fielding School of Public Health.

May-Lin Wilgus, MD

Pulmonologist and associate clinical professor at UCLA Health.

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What they’re saying

“We know how dangerous the LA wildfires were, and not once did they tell the citizens, wear respiratory protection, get out of Dodge. Don't let your kids be exposed to these toxins. And you know what? I think our government owes the citizens of Los Angeles, of California, the same rights that they're giving the public safety officers.”

— Michael Barasch, Attorney (The Post)

“This was a catastrophic event that changed much of Los Angeles — its community, its landscape and our health. We are, not surprisingly, still suffering the consequences in many ways. Families have not returned to their homes, and high levels of pollutants remain in communities. It's a tough place to be a year later.”

— David Eisenman, MD, Professor-in-residence at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the Fielding School of Public Health (UCLA Health)

“Many individuals who followed up with me six months later also mentioned their symptoms flared with the fires. These patients often had continued exposures — such as returning to smoke-damaged homes or encountering high levels of heavy-metal contamination — so it does seem to be a trigger.”

— May-Lin Wilgus, MD, Pulmonologist and associate clinical professor at UCLA Health (UCLA Health)

What’s next

Barasch says officials should urge LA residents affected by the Palisades fire to be checked by doctors for adverse health effects from the toxic fumes, and that a compensation fund should be started for survivors, similar to the one created after 9/11.

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential long-term health consequences of the Palisades fire, and the failure of California officials to adequately warn and protect residents from the dangers of toxic fumes. Lessons must be learned from the 9/11 aftermath to ensure proper support and compensation for those impacted by such disasters.