Big Rock Burning

Big Rock Burning: A Story of Devastation, Courage, and the Road to Resiliency in Malibu

On January 7, 2025, the Palisades Fire roared down the Santa Monica Mountains toward the Pacific Coast Highway, engulfing the tight-knit coastal neighborhood of Big Rock in Malibu. What followed was a harrowing night that tested everything the community held dear. The intimate PBS SoCal documentary Big Rock Burning (27:49, premiered January 8, 2026, directed by local resident David Goldblum, who lost his own home) captures the raw reality: when official responders deemed the area too dangerous and stood down, neighbors became first responders.

The film opens with survivors like Colin and Jo Drummond walking through the ashes of what was once their home. “We’ve come back to our apocalypse of a house,” Jo says, as they try to navigate the unrecognizable landscape of twisted metal and foundations where hallways used to be.

(Link to the video at the end of this article)

Arno Koch stands amid the rubble, pointing out the few remnants: “It’s crazy how little stuff is actually left. Here’s my dishwasher… Yep, a little Christmas-themed cup.” These small “gems,” as another resident Haylynn Conrad calls them, become symbols of both loss and the enduring spirit of a community where people truly know their neighbors.

Big Rock has long been more than just another Malibu enclave. Multi-generational families live in homes built decades ago—some inherited, others purchased with everything their owners had. Wade Major, whose parents built their house in 1962, shares the pain of watching his daughter’s childhood home burn: “This is her greatest fear.” Block parties, shared history, and deep investment in the land made Big Rock feel like a rare, genuine community in modern times.

Preparedness Met Reality

Many residents had prepared as best they could. Janet Fulk and Peter Monge had installed 30,000 gallons of stored water, 600 feet of fire hose, and an industrial pump. Their backup plan? Scuba tanks in the pool for underwater breathing if smoke became overwhelming. Rosemary Ihde, at 80 years old, turned to her son Thomas and asked if the two of them could defend their home together. They did.

But nothing could fully prepare them for the roar of the wind, the explosions, the zero-visibility smoke, and the advancing wall of flames. Patty Phillips found herself trapped in her car on a boulder as fire licked below: “I realized I was literally on my own… I started praying to God, ‘Please let me die from smoke inhalation. Please do not let me be burned alive.’”

Scanner audio in the documentary is chilling. Firefighters pleaded for resources as the fire approached Big Rock—only to hear “stand down.” Residents fought with garden hoses as hydrant pressure failed, eyes burning, pushing through exhaustion and fear of burning alive.

When Systems Fail, Community Steps Up

Big Rock Burning doesn’t shy away from the hard questions about underfunding, neglected brush clearance, poor pre-positioning, and the broader institutional shortcomings exposed that night. Yet the film’s heart lies in what worked: ordinary people protecting each other.

At Fast Fire Network, we watched this story with heavy hearts. We are deeply divested by the losses suffered by the Big Rock community—the generational homes destroyed, the irreplaceable memories turned to ash, and the fear so many endured when help didn’t arrive. The bravery shown by residents who stayed and defended their properties is nothing short of heroic.

We are especially encouraged by the role of the Community Brigade members highlighted in the broader Malibu wildfire response. These dedicated volunteers—many from areas like Big Rock, Malibu West, Point Dume, and surrounding canyons—stepped up during the Palisades Fire to support evacuations, protect key sites, and look out for neighbors and pets when official resources were stretched thin.

Through our FAST (Fire and Safety Training) program, we have the privilege of working directly with these community brigades in a training capacity. We hold every brigade member in the highest regard. Their willingness to train, prepare, and serve their neighborhoods embodies exactly the proactive, localized resiliency we champion at Fast Fire Network.

Building a Stronger Future Together

The documentary ends on a note of cautious hope: grass returning to the burned hills, neighbors supporting one another in the long rebuild, and a shared determination that “no more excuses” will be accepted when it comes to wildfire preparedness.

This is the future we’re helping to build. Fast Fire Network exists to connect and protect Southern California communities through training, private protection services, equipment support, defensible space guidance, and custom programs like FAST. We believe the lessons from Big Rock—private water systems, community mutual aid, rigorous training, and rapid local response—must become the standard, not the exception.

To the residents of Big Rock and every Community Brigade member who fought that night and continues the hard work of recovery: thank you. Your courage inspires us daily. We remain committed to standing beside you with the tools, training, and support needed to face the next threat—not with fear, but with confidence and preparedness.

Big Rock Burning is streaming now on PBS SoCal, the PBS app, and other platforms. We encourage everyone in fire-prone California to watch it. Then ask yourself: What am I doing today to make my home and my community more resilient tomorrow?

At Fast Fire Network, we’re ready to help you answer that question with action.

LINK to the Video:

https://www.pbs.org/show/big-rock-burning/

Malibu Times Story about this video:

https://malibutimes.com/a-devastating-loss-malibuite-jo-drummonds-fight-to-rebuild