ABC News Plans ‘SoCal Strong’ Coverage for California Wildfire Victim

ABC News plans to devote a significant amount of its coverage Friday to efforts supporting people in the vicinity of Los Angeles affected by the region’s recent wildfires. ABC’s “Good Morning America” team will kick off a day-long effort across multiple programs that will highlight themes of recovery and rebuilding, while encouraging viewers to donate to local organizations that aim to help residents rebuild their lives.

The initiative is expected to be announced Thursday during “Good Morning America.”

“It will start with ‘GMA’ and go all along ABC to ‘World News Tonight,’” says Almin Karamehmedovic, president of ABC News, during an interview. Starting Friday, he adds, “Robin Roberts, Michael Strahan and Ginger Zee will be live from affected areas to report and shed light on the tragedy, but more importantly, to raise funds and call for attention to help people who are the most affected.”

The coverage represents an expansion of efforts that have already been in place at ABC local stations and on ABC News’ streaming news programs.

ABC News has made coverage of the wildfires a priority since last week, when David Muir, anchor of “World News Tonight” along wtih Karamehmedovic, a former executive producer of the program, went out to Los Angeles to anchor the evening program on the ground. Audiences, says Karamehmedocvic, have responded, giving “World News” and reports by Los Angeles station KABC some of its biggest audiences in recent months. “GMA” was able to beat its main rival, “Today,” in overall audience on January 8 and January 14.

“Being on the ground gives you a sense of the scale of the tragedy. It’s really unprecedented,” the executive says. “The fires will change the shape of southern California and the affected area for a long time. It’s a really devastating situation and the tragedy is still unfolding.”

Muir stayed in Los Angeles last week even though the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter was taking place in Washington, D.C., says Karamehmedovic, and anchored coverage from the West Coast. He also anchored a live primetime special on Friday night.

Roberts, Strahan and Zee will be joined by Matt Gutman, chief national correspondent for ABC News, and Kanya Whitworth, an anchor for the ABC News Live live-streaming service. Both have been covering the fires since last week.

“SoCal Strong” coverage will continue across ABC News Live into the weekend. KABC will air “SoCal Strong,” a live special showcasing outstanding instances of neighbors and local residents banding together to help one another, on Sunday, January 19, at 6:30 p.m. PST.