Millions of people by now have seen the horrific images of the blazing wildfires that swept through the Los Angeles communities of Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena on January 7, costing countless lives and homes, and leaving heartbreak in its wake.
Two popular poker community members, and longtime LA residents, David Tuchman and Robbi Jade Lew were forced to evacuate as the fires surged into their neighborhoods with little to no warning.
Luckily, Tuchman’s home near the Eaton fire in Altadena and Lew’s residence in the Palisades escaped the carnage but not the devastation and sadness that permeated their beloved communities.
PokerOrg reached out to Tuchman and Lew to share their experiences from that harrowing and tumultuous day.
‘The school was gone, her classroom annihilated’
David Tuchman is beloved for his insightful and edgy commentary for the WSOP and, most recently, as a regular commentator at Hustler Casino Live.
On the evening of January 7, David was coaching hockey with his two young sons. He was well aware of the raging fires 31 miles away in the Palisades, but there had been no reported fires near the quaint Altadena community he called home.
That all changed abruptly at 6:15pm that evening when another parent banged on the hockey rink’s plexiglass and waved Tuchman over to an urgent call.
David shares his story:
My wife Molly was hysterical as a fire had broken out in our neighborhood. She could see the fires from our backyard. I felt so helpless because I was so far away at the rink.
I asked her, ‘Can I come to help you?’ because we have a ridiculous number of animals: three cats, three dogs, a pig, and a bunny. We literally have a zoo. She told me there was not enough time for me to reach her. I told her just to get out right away.
Tuchman immediately contacted a few neighborhood friends to help his wife evacuate Altadena safely with their precious animals and a handful of valuables.
I felt blessed that our boys were with me and safe. I arranged with another friend to house my family for a few days so we could figure things out.
My wife told me the story of driving through the raging fires. It was like an apocalypse; flames were blazing behind her, and orange embers were whizzing by. I'm sure it was similar to what Tiffany Michelle drove through when evacuating the Palisades earlier that morning.
Luckily, Tuchman’s home escaped the devastation that destroyed much of the town of Altadena.
We were lucky; our house was spared. The mandatory evacuation was lifted in Altadena. I did an inspection a few days ago with a restoration company. It smells like smoke and is pretty disgusting. We just want to make sure it's safe before we go back in.
But the worst news was yet to come. The Aveson Charter School, where Tuchman’s wife taught for many years and their children attended, had burned to the ground.
When we woke up Wednesday morning, I saw my wife crying. She told me the school was gone, her classroom annihilated. She was distraught. I have no words for what’s happened to my town.
Three days after the wildfires razed over 10,000 structures in Altadena, Tuchman posted a short video on X of the devastating aftermath of his children’s beloved school.
I want to thank everyone for the messages — they’ve helped me get through this. Many have asked me how they can help. If you’re able to, please donate to our school. It’s the heart and soul of everything good about Altadena.
Click here if you wish to help fund the rebuilding of the Aveson Charter School.
‘It felt like the world was ending’
Robbi Jade Lew first gained attention when she played two cards (J-4) that would go down in infamy, rocking the poker world during a high-stakes cash game versus Garrett Adelstein on Hustler Casino Live in September of 2022.
Since that fateful day at HCL, Lew has become a popular and bright face on the poker circuit while playing in numerous tournaments and a handful of streamed cash games.
Robbi shares her story:
When the evacuation notice came, I thought I would be able to drive out of my neighborhood. I was at home with my mother-in-law, who's in her mid-80s, and uses a walking stick.
It was around 11am., and the fire had started 30 minutes prior. I opened my front door, and cars were backed up all around. I wouldn't be able to pull my car out. I grabbed my two dogs and prepared to leave.
That's when my husband called and said to grab his mom and start running. I told him she can't run. He said, ‘Tell her it’s life or death.’ I've never seen her walk faster and be as calm. She was amazing.
By this point, Lew’s neighborhood was slammed by black smoke as the blaze was fast approaching. There was no way out by car; the roads were gridlocked for blocks.
Lew chose the only remaining option and walked arm-in-arm with her mother-in-law toward safety.
As we walked out, I turned around and started recording it with my phone. I remember thinking our house had to be gone because the fire was approaching the middle of Palisades. Then I looked to my right and saw another fire.
I just remember it felt like a Hollywood inferno scene. But that's a movie set. This is real life.
This sadness just overcame me. I knew it was bad. I didn't think it would be as bad as it ended up.
We walked to my parent’s house nearby, and then the smoke was coming closer and closer to their home now. We had to get out of the Palisades. My husband abandoned his car in the middle of Sunset Boulevard and walked to where we were. All of us, two dogs and five adults, crammed into my parent’s Tesla and left.
The family fled to West Hollywood 20 miles away, until they were forced to flee again when a fire flared up in the Hollywood Hills nearby. Eventually, the despondent group headed to Lew’s sister’s home in Palm Springs.
It felt like the world was ending. Watching it on the news, it felt surreal. I remember sitting in this weird melancholic state and not realizing our life had completely changed.
When Lew returned to the Palisades days later, thankfully, she discovered their home was still standing but had sustained extensive damage.
I feel very fortunate that we were one of the few homes that survived. Every house around us burned down. Still, there was so much structural damage, and our backyard was a full-on inferno.
My parent’s house is dust. There isn't a city left, as 90% of the Palisades is gone. It feels very atomic bomb-like. Now, we're dealing with the aftermath and how to recover from it.
I feel like there's a silver lining to everything, but it was a lot for us to go through, as you can imagine. I’m part of the coalition that wants to rebuild Palisades. But we understand it will be a long and tedious process to recover.
I feel like one door closes, and another one opens. We will rebuild. We don't want to abandon the place that we love.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has shared a number of ways people can donate to relief efforts, both online and in person. Visit their website now for more information.
Additional images courtesy of David Tuchman/Craig Tapscott.
