Debris remains at some properties devastated by the Eaton fire, and rebuilding has yet to begin on many sites. (photo by Edwin Folven)

State, county and city leaders came together on July 7 to mark six months since the Palisades and Eaton fires devastated communities, claiming 30 lives and destroying or damaging more than 12,000 homes and businesses.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles County Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger, 5th District, led a press conference at Pasadena City College near the Eaton fire zone, where leaders outlined recovery efforts and laid out plans for what lies ahead. Newsom signed an executive order on July 7 to more quickly rebuild homes and schools by suspending some building standards and codes and streamlining procedures for properties damaged or destroyed by the fires. Barger announced a blueprint for the county centered on waiving requirements and lowering rebuilding costs, expediting property tax relief, accelerating permitting and inspections and undergrounding overhead utilities.

“Local, state and federal governments are delivering the fastest wildfire cleanup in U.S. history. Nearly 10,000 homes cleared, months ahead of schedule, because recovery can’t wait,” Newsom said. “Now we turn the page to rebuilding, and we’re doing it with a clear plan, strong partnerships and the urgency this moment demands.”

“As we mark six months since these devastating fires, we recognize the historic actions taken to clear debris from thousands of properties in record time,” Barger said. “But this is only the beginning. We must move into the next phase – rebuilding – with the same determination and urgency. Backed by the state of California and other critical partners, our L.A. County Forward Blueprint will drive a swift, resilient recovery and ensure our communities emerge stronger than ever.”

Newsom and Barger credited coordination between state and county leaders and the Army Corps of Engineers for the swift pace of the recovery effort. The near completion of the public debris removal program is six months ahead of schedule, they said. Of the 12,048 properties destroyed in the Palisades and Eaton fires, 9,873 utilized the Army Corps of Engineers’ free public debris removal program and 1,982 opted to complete the work themselves. Newsom announced on July 7 that 9,195 properties have been cleared and several hundred others are awaiting final approvals.

Newsom and Barger were joined at the July 7 event by Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo and Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Rachel Freeman. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass planned to attend but changed plans due to an unexpected federal immigration raid that day at MacArthur Park.

“I think we all woke up this morning with the same thought that it’s truly hard to believe it’s been six months since one of the worst natural disasters in state’s history, and although six months have passed, we cannot thank our firefighters and first responders enough for their ongoing bravery and dedication,” Freeman said. “This month, and with more than 640 plan check applications submitted, construction is well underway in the Palisades and L.A. is moving beyond the initial emergency response firmly into the rebuilding phase.”

Some believe the rebuilding and recovery is not moving fast enough. Businessman and developer Rick Caruso, who formed the nonprofit Steadfast LA earlier this year to bring the private sector together for fire recovery, said more needs to be done. Steadfast LA has proposed plans such as an AI permitting tool and modular housing initiative to speed up rebuilding in the Palisades and Eaton fire zones.

“It has been six months since the Palisades and Eaton fires tore through our community, destroying thousands of homes, destroying lives and livelihoods and raising real questions about the competency of our leadership and how they have responded. We know the scale of this devastation could have been prevented with proper planning and management. People who are impacted are struggling to understand what’s next, because there’s not enough clarity around the city’s moving forward plan. The city’s been heavy on lofty rhetoric, but we don’t need lofty rhetoric. We need answers,” Caruso said. “At steadfast LA, we’re doing everything we can to get answers and move forward. We’re creating real, actionable solutions, whether it’s our AI permitting tool, our plan to rebuild Palisades Park, our redesign of Upper Lake or a modular housing initiative to give families a lifeline to get back on their property. We’re eager to work with our local officials, but we’ll work around them or through them if they continue to be ineffective and keep the public in the dark.”

Barger added that more information about programs and initiatives to speed up recovery will be announced in the coming days. People seeking information are encouraged to visit recovery.lacounty.gov.

Rebuilding has yet to begin at many properties in Altadena. (photo by Edwin Folven)