one malibu community Firefighters who helped save nearly a dozen homes during the Palisades Fire say that while communities can come together to save property during natural disasters, California officials need to do more to contain wildfires.

Local surfer Matt Diamond formed the surf team in his community following a 2018 surf competition woolsey fire – which burned nearly 100,000 acres, claimed three lives and forced the evacuation of nearly 300,000 people – he said was driven by the need to become “self-sufficient firefighters.”

“We didn’t have any fire support and all Malibu residents had to come together,” Diamond told Fox News Digital. “We stayed, but the city manager wouldn’t allow resources to come in, so we had to vote on the terms. We brought the ax, the Shovels, firefighting equipment, food and water were shipped to Paradise Cove and we set up a makeshift camp and began patrolling the neighborhood, conducting on-site fire inspections and saving neighbors’ homes.”

He said, now, Los Angeles Fire Department Consider this fire department a vital resource in saving homes and managing fires because firefighters brought in from other locations don’t know the area well.

California wildfires sweep through Los Angeles County, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes

Malibu surfer Matt Diamond was part of a community fire crew that saved 10 homes during the California wildfires.

Diamond followed fire trucks to Sunset and Pacific Coast Highways when the fire broke out Tuesday and noticed the fire was condensing in the Palisades. He said he returned to Malibu and encountered the flames in Tuna Canyon.

“It was dark and (the wildfire) was moving about a quarter of a mile every 30 minutes,” he said. “I was with this brigade and they were blocking his way.”

On January 8, 2025, a beach house was engulfed in flames during the Palisades Fire along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California. (Augustin Paulier/AFP via Getty Images)

He went home and packed his belongings, which included some surfboards.

“I used to big wave surfing On a somewhat professional level, I have a big tournament coming up, so I need these boards,” Diamond said. “I’ve been working hard and these are some of the best-shaped boards in the world. I took it all to the beach, along with my drum kit and music equipment, and then I came home and the fire went right through my house and surrounded it. It’s a stunning sight – it’s an immersive experience. “

Diamond began working with Santa Barbara firefighters to help protect his home and community. He said he helped “persuade” them to keep his position.

The next morning everything was still burning. He said many of his friends from the Palisades lost their homes that night.

“All my friends who are big musicians, in some of the biggest bands in the world, have lost all their Grammys,” he said. “The biggest producers in the world who have done the biggest projects, from music to TV and movies, have the most amazing memorabilia you’ve ever seen. And it just disappeared. I was just looking at it. The Beatles Beautiful things, the craziest souvenirs of the Woodstock era in the 60s – all gone.”

Diamond said that while the team saved about 10 homes, the domino effect was the most important part – saving one house saved four surrounding homes.

On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, the Palisades Fire destroyed an oceanfront property in Malibu, California. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

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The city of Malibu confirmed in a statement Thursday that one resident died in the Palisades Fire.

“This is a painful reminder that this fire has had a profound impact on our community,” officials wrote. “Malibu is more than just a city – we are neighbors, friends and family. Even if we don’t know someone names, and their loss is felt by all of us. In times like these, we must come together to support each other and demonstrate the resilience of our communities.”

Diamond encourages every community to contact local first responders and establish communication with officials.

Matt Diamond takes photos of damage during wildfires in Malibu, California. (Matt Diamond)

Using walkie-talkies and satellite wireless phones to create a community’s own lines of communication can also be very beneficial during times of crisis, he said.

“You get the right clothing and training and you’re prepared and you can save your community,” Diamond said. “We’re just going to have more natural disasters. It’s just going to keep happening. This is climate evolution, it’s It’s here to stay and it’s only going to grow. It’s powerful and necessary to educate yourself and be empowered to help your community.”

Growing up, he remembers seeing a lot of brush fires. He remembers the forestry and fire management departments setting up fire breaks.

Strong winds fueled devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area, forcing evacuations and leaving burned buildings in ruins in Malibu, California, on January 8, 2025. (Daniel Cole/Reuters)

Diamond acknowledged that sometimes prescribed burns can get out of hand, but said they are needed to protect the whole.

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“In a sense, (the government) is a little timid about doing what’s needed right,” he said. “Let’s say two houses burned, (the government) was sued by two people, and 1,000 houses (burned) because you didn’t do these controlled burns. The governor (Gavin Newsom) needs to attack this, Because everyone is pretty much at their mercy to get rid of the bureaucracy and just do what needs to be done.”