Climate journalist Bill McKibben and executive producer and former “60 Minutes” producer David Gelber have teamed up to create “Altadena: One Fire After Another,” a documentary chronicling the aftermath of the 2025 Eaton Fire in Los Angeles. The film follows Altadena residents as they confront the challenges of rebuilding their homes, preserving their community and navigating the long road to recovery.
While much of the initial coverage focused on the night the fire erupted, the documentary picks up the story more than a year later.
“The fire was only the beginning of the story,” Gelber said in a statement. “We wanted to understand what happens after the television cameras leave, when families are left to rebuild not only their homes but also their lives and sense of community. Altadena’s story is deeply personal, but it’s also a window into questions communities across the country are increasingly facing.”
The film features interviews with Altadena residents sharing
The film features interviews with Altadena residents sharing personal stories along with conversations with professionals on climate, economics and public policy.
“We’ve become accustomed to covering disasters as breaking news. What’s far less visible is what comes next. This film is about the months and years after a catastrophe, when the real consequences begin to unfold,” McKibben said in a statement. “I hope people take away from the documentary the fact that this is not a random tragedy in any way; rather, it’s caused by a particular set of players doing a particular thing.”
The film is produced and directed by Jonathan Scheinberg and produced and edited by Vanessa Gould. The documentary team’s credits include “60 Minutes,” “Years of Living Dangerously,” ABC News, CBS News, HBO, CNN, The New York Times and National Geographic. “Altadena: One Fire After Another” is currently in post-production, with the filmmakers currently evaluating distribution opportunities.
