The Brief

The most destructive fires in L.A. County history erupted six months ago today, killing at least 30 people and destroying more than 16,000 structures, mostly homes, and reshaping the region in ways large and small.

Instead of January's landscape of chimneys and staircases rising from rubble, today empty dirt lots extend block after block in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades.

A handful of people who survived the Eaton and Palisades fires have broken ground on rebuilds. Many remain displaced. Still others decided to move on, restart their lives elsewhere. For most, the emotional pain remains all too present.

How much can change in six months. And how little.

Here's where things stand.

Recovery by the numbers 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has cleared debris from more than 9,000 lots in the Eaton and Palisades fire burn zones.

Ninety-seven percent of properties in the Eaton Fire zone have been cleared, and 87% in the Palisades Fire burn zone, according to the Army Corps progress tracker. Nearly 1,000 properties that opted out of the government debris removal program still need to be cleared.

The Eaton cleanup has moved faster in part because the area affected by the Palisades Fire had more properties that were challenging to get to, said Army Corps Col. Eric Swenson.

" In some cases we have individuals on rappel lines, hand-collecting debris down the side of a mountain," Swenson said.

Swenson added that the homes that burned in the Palisades Fire were also larger on average and required more time to clear.

Crews remove wildfire debris on hillside property, June 27 in Pacific Palisades. Using a rope descent systems to safely maneuver on the rugged slopes, personnel are removing debris by hand in areas too dangerous for heavy equipment.

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Charles Delano

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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

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He estimates that all Army Corps-led debris removal will be done by mid-summer.

That progress means that the staging areas for debris are in the process of winding down: The Altadena Golf Course, which had drawn concern from neighboring residents about pollution from the site, stopped accepting new waste on July 1, Swenson said. He estimated the golf course would be turned back over in December.

A sign at an Altadena property showing that it was cleared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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Brian Feinzimer

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LAist

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Temescal Canyon Road, where debris was being processed for the Palisades Fire, stopped accepting new material in May and will be turned over to the community in mid-August.

More rebuild permits

With lots now cleared, more survivors are working to select architects and building contractors, while filling out the mounds of paperwork they need approved before they can start rebuilding their homes.

About a quarter of the nearly 400 rebuild permits applied for by property owners in the Pacific Palisades have been approved, according to L.A. city’s department of building and safety.

In Altadena, about 5% of more than 900 rebuild permits submitted have been approved, according to L.A. County.

One reason for the difference is that the city of L.A. has waived permitting fees and taken other actions to streamline the permitting process in the Palisades, including approving “like-for-like” rebuilds within 30 days. As an unincorporated community, Altadena residents have to work with the county’s planning, fire and public works departments that are already stretched thin.

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors has taken similar actions to expedite the permitting process but only recently approved a motion brought by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to defer and refund permit fees. The turnaround time for approval is on average about 50 business days, according to the county’s tracker, but the goal is to reduce that to 30 days.

“I want to see our planning department move with a sense of urgency, not be bureaucratic, something that I continue to struggle with," Barger told LAist.

Still, Kerjon Lee with the county's public works department said the turnaround time is significantly lower than average permit approval time of 158 days under normal circumstances.

Lee said a common issue they're seeing is that applications are often missing key signatures and details, especially for "like-for-like" rebuild projects that add an accessory dwelling unit.

Steve Gibson, who lost his home of 24 years in Altadena, is one of the hundreds of residents waiting for a decision from the county. He and his wife have already selected a prefab housing contractor and rebuild design for their new home.

Steve Gibson and his wife Charlotte stand on the cleared lot of their home of 24 years that burned down in the Eaton Fire. The Army Corps cleared their property in June.

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Sunny Mills

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Gibson said the wait time and permitting fees were hurdles that have slowed the rebuild process in his neighborhood.

“The permit fees to rebuild a house are a huge amount of money and a huge process,” Gibson said. “And we feel the same problem in other areas, that we're not getting responsiveness to our urgent needs in Altadena.”

Insurance woes continue

Like many, Gibson is trying to rebuild while still completing the inventory of every single thing that he and his wife lost in the fire — from family heirlooms and photos to art, clothes and furniture — in order to receive their insurance payment. When they fled the fire, they were only able to grab their passports, insurance papers and small dog, Cantinflas.

They received half of what their insurance plan says it can cover for the loss of personal property, and need to complete their inventory to argue for the rest.

That inventory, he said, is a constant pain point for him and many fellow survivors.

“ We all feel like it's the hardest thing in our lives,” Gibson said. “It's an emotional rollercoaster. It's hard to remember, it's painful to remember and it feels like a tragedy. I said to one of my neighbors — we need emotional counseling after having to go through putting together an inventory.”

Gibson’s insurance provider, Allstate, did provide a full payout to cover rebuilding their home. But Gibson said that the amount is still more than $100,000 short of what they need. A $50,000 Small Business Administration loan will help, Gibson said, but many of his neighbors are facing the same gap between rebuild costs and insurance payouts — a common barrier to rebuilding.

“We decided to go for it kind of on a leap of faith that we will be able to cover the differences,” Gibson said.

Palisades Fire survivor Darragh Danton calls the divide between insurance payouts and rebuild costs “the gap.”

She said she and her neighbors are talking about solutions such as group rates on materials, and working together as a community to rebuild to keep costs down. They’ve already paid a land surveyor as a neighborhood for a reduced rate, she said.

Palisades resident Jill Lawrence’s home survived, but she said fighting her insurance company to clean it up has been a disaster in and of itself.

She said her house is still full of lead and other toxic soot — she and her husband did their own testing initially and months later their insurance company came out to test, too, finding even worse levels of lead.

Still, the house hasn’t been cleaned up. Lawrence said she's spending 15 or 20 hours a week negotiating her insurance. Meanwhile, she and her husband are living in a rental in Playa del Rey.

“ It's just weird to me six months later that my house is still standing in soot and ash, and it's really because of the insurance companies," she said. “It's crazy to me."

The fact so many people are dealing with the same insurance issues has sparked new waves of policy efforts by state leaders, but it may come too late for the latest round of fire survivors.

For example, one bill currently moving through the California legislature would eliminate the inventory requirement in the case of a total loss and require a full insurance payout. The state insurance commissioner has also launched efforts to reform the insurance industry and an investigation into State Farm smoke damage claims.

Renters are struggling

Renters have also faced daunting challenges since January — often with even less support than homeowners.

Maribel Marin, the executive director of the emergency helpline 211 LA, said the nonprofit is working with more than 3,000 households affected by the fires, and that the majority of them are renters.

" They're experiencing rental rates that are two or three times that for the same level of housing that they had before," Marin said. "It's really, really tough to find housing, especially affordable housing."

The site of a former mobile home park in Pacific Palisades in mid June. Many Palisades and Eaton Fire survivors are facing the loss of affordable housing and unable to make ends meet in a brutal housing market.

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Erin Stone

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LAist

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Finding housing continues to be the biggest need for displaced renters, Marin said.

Hundreds are still in temporary and insecure housing, with more than 100 families living in their vehicles, according to data from 211 L.A.

Marin said close to 250 households are living in temporary AirBnBs — a service paid for by the vacation rental company.

Looking ahead

Lawsuits from fire survivors are moving forward as the causes of the fires continue to be investigated.

Evidence shows the Eaton Fire was likely caused by Southern California Edison equipment. Trials related to that fire should only take a few weeks, but because there are so many, it will likely be years before many plaintiffs see their cases closed, said Amanda Riddle, managing partner of Corey, Luzaich, de Ghetaldi & Riddle LLP, and the court-appointed co-liaison counsel for all individual plaintiffs in the Eaton Fire case.

An aerial view of Altadena showing several cleared properties amongst many more awaiting to be cleared of debris and rubble from the Eaton Fire.

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Brian Feinzimer

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LAist

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An aerial view of the Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Home Park in Los Angeles on Jan. 18, 2025. The park was completely burned down by the Palisades fire.

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Ted Soqui

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SIPA USA via Reuters

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“Not all 10,000 households are going to have a trial at the same time,” Riddle said.

Residents have until Jan. 7, 2028, to join a lawsuit for damages caused by the fires.

Another big milestone that everyone from government agencies to lawyers are waiting for: an independent review of the evacuation policies and emergency alert notification systems used by the county during the Eaton and Palisades fires.

The “after action report” is being compiled by the McChrystal Group. The first progress report is expected to be released this summer, but the full review will likely take longer.

Emotional toll remains fresh

With so much left unresolved, the emotional toll remains as fresh as ever for many survivors six months after the fires.

“It is ever present, so it does feel like it just happened yesterday,” said Robin Hughes, who lost her home in Altadena. “The passage of time is so muddled, and there's just so much to do with my own personal rebuild, supporting the rebuild of Altadena. It does feel like it's been this long, extended day.”

A message of hope is hung from the gates of a home in an Altadena neighborhood on Jan. 30, 2025.

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Julie Leopo

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LAist

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For Gibson, the experience of losing his home lurks behind every conversation.

“ I have a hard time talking to people about it,” Gibson said. “What should I say? Should I express how angry I am about things or should I just say everything's fine? I'm realizing now that's a real struggle.”

For most, their biggest allies have been fellow survivors.

“Many of us who went through the fire believe that people can't understand it if you haven't,” Gibson said. “It's really hard to understand the feelings that come with that, how it changes your life.”

Join us on July 9 at a special live event with LAist climate and environment reporter Erin Stone. She'll talk with survivors of previous fires as well as other experts to learn what to expect as the recovery process continues.

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

Since 1977, Richard Santillan has been to every Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium. 

“The tradition goes from my father, to me, to my children and grandchildren. Some of my best memories are with my father and children here at Dodger Stadium,” Santillan told The LA Local, smiling under the shade of palm trees near the entrance to the ballpark Wednesday morning. He was there to protest the team less than 24 hours before Opening Day.

Santillan, like countless other loyal Dodgers fans, is grappling with his fan identity over the team’s decision to accept an invitation to the White House and owner Mark Walter’s ties to ICE detention facilities.

More than 30 people joined Santillan on Wednesday morning for a press conference held near 1000 Vin Scully Drive to convey a message directly to the team. 

“We are demanding the Dodgers stop participating in funding of inhumane treatment of families and do not go to the White House to celebrate with the criminal in chief,” Evelyn Escatiola told the crowd. “Together, we have the power to make a change.”

Escatiola, a former dean of East Los Angeles College and longtime community organizer, urged fans to flex their economic power by “letting the Dodgers know that we do not support repression.”

Jorge “Coqui” Rodriguez, a lifelong Dodgers fan, spoke to the crowd and called on Dodgers ownership to divest from immigration detention centers owned and operated by GEO Group and CoreCivic.

Jorge Coqui H Rodriguez speaks at a press conference outside Dodger Stadium on March 25, 2026, to demand the Dodgers not to visit the White House following their 2025 World Series win.

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J.W. Hendricks

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The LA Local

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In a phone interview a day before the protest, Rodriguez told The LA Local he did not want the Dodgers using his “cheve” or beer money to fund detention centers. 

“They can’t take our parking money, our cacahuate money, our cheve money, our Dodger Dog money and invest those funds into corporations that are imprisoning people. It’s wrong,” Rodriguez said. 

Rodriguez considers the Dodgers one of the most racially diverse teams and said the players need to support fans at a time when heightened immigration enforcement has become more common across L.A.

The team’s 2025’s visit to the White House drew ire from the largely Latino fan base, citing the Trump administration’s ongoing attacks on immigrants. 

In June, the team came under further scrutiny when rumors swirled online that federal immigration agents were using the stadium’s parking, which immigration authorities later denied in statements posted on social media accounts.

The team again came under fire after not releasing a statement on the impacts of ICE raids on its mostly Latino fan base at the height of immigration enforcement last summer. The team later agreed to invest $1 million to support families affected by immigration enforcement.

When he learned the Dodgers were pledging only $1 million to families in need, Rodriguez called the amount a  “slap in the face.” 

“These guys just bought the Lakers for billions of dollars and they give a million dollars to fight for legal services? That’s a joke,” Rodriguez said. “They need to have a moral backbone and not be investing in those companies.”

According to reporting from the Los Angeles Times, former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershawsaid last week that he is looking forward to the trip.

“I went when President [Joe] Biden was in office. I’m going to go when President [Donald] Trump is in office,” Kershaw said. “To me, it’s just about getting to go to the White House. You don’t get that opportunity every day, so I’m excited to go.”

The Dodgers have yet to announce when their planned visit will take place. 

Santillan sometimes laments his decision to give up his season tickets in protest of the team. His connection to the stadium and the memories he has made there with family and friends will last a lifetime, he said. On Thursday, he will uphold his tradition and be there for the first pitch of the season, but with a heavy heart.

“It’s a family tradition, but the Dodgers have a lot of work to do,” he said.

A local favorite mom-and-pop bookshop in Eagle Rock is facing displacement due to a steep rent hike. The owners say theirs is just one of several small businesses along Eagle Rock Boulevard struggling to keep up with lease increases.

Over the past 19 years, many in the neighborhood have come to love READ Books for its eclectic collection of used titles and shop dog Florence.

Co-owner Jeremy Kaplan said it’s been a delight to grow with the community over the years.

“Like seeing kids come back in, who were in grade school and now they’re in college,” Kaplan said.

But the building where Kaplan and wife Debbie rent was recently sold, and the rent increased by more than 130% to $2,805 a month, Kaplan said. He told LAist it was an increase his small business simply could not absorb.

Kaplan said he originally was given 30 days notice of the rent increase. After some research, assistance from Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s office and some pro-bono legal help, Kaplan said he pushed back and got the 90-day notice he’s afforded by state law.

California Senate Bill 1103 requires landlords to give businesses with five or less employees 90 days’ notice for rent increases exceeding 10%, among other protections.

Systems Real Estate, the property management company, did not immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.

What can small businesses do? 

Nadia Segura, directing attorney of the Small Business Program at pro bono legal aid non-profit Bet Tzedek said California law does not currently allow for rent control for commercial tenancies.

Outside of the protections under SB 1103, Segura said small businesses like READ Books don’t have much other recourse. And even then, commercial landlords are not required to inform their tenants of their protections under the law.

“There’s still a lot of people that don’t know about SB 1103. And then it’s very sad that they tell them they have these rent increases and within a month they have to leave,” Segura said.

She said her group is seeing steep rent hikes like this for commercial tenants across the city.

“We are seeing this even more with the World Cup coming up, the Olympics coming up. And I will say it was very sad to see that also after the wildfires,” Segura said.

Part of Bet Tzedek’s ongoing work is to advocate for small businesses, working with landlords who are increasing rents to see if they are willing to give business owners longer leases that lock in rents.

What’s next 

After READ Books posted about their situation on social media, commenters chimed in to express their outrage and love for the little shop.

While he looks for a new spot, Kaplan says he’s forming a coalition of local businesses and activist groups to see what can be done to help other small businesses facing similar displacement. He wants to address the displacement issue for businesses like his, which have made Eagle Rock the distinctive neighborhood that it is today.

Owl Talk, a longtime Eagle Rock staple selling clothing and accessories in a unit in the same building as READ Books, is facing a “more than double” rent increase, according to a post on their Instagram account.

Kaplan said he’s been in touch with the office of state Assemblywoman Jessica Caloza and wants to explore the possibility of introducing legislation to set up protections for small businesses like his, including rent-control measures or a vacancy tax for landlords. Kaplan said he also reached out to the office of state Sen. Maria Durazo.

By his count, Kaplan said there are about a dozen businesses within surrounding blocks that are at risk of closing their doors or have shuttered due to rent increases or other struggles.

When READ Books was founded during the Great Recession, Kaplan said he knew it was a longshot to open a bookstore at the same time so many were struggling to stay in business.

“It was kind of interesting to be doing something that neighborhoods needed. That was important to me growing up, that was important to my children, that was important to my wife growing up,” Kaplan said.

“And then somebody comes in and says, ‘We’re gonna over double your rent.”

Topline:

Frozen budget: Most of the city’s Bureau of Street Lighting budget comes from an assessment that people who own property illuminated by lights pay on their county property tax bill. The amount people pay depends on the kind of property they own and how much they benefit from lighting. A typical single-family home currently pays $53 annually, and in total, the assessments bring in about $45 million annually for the city to repair and maintain streetlights. Changing the amount the Bureau of Street Lighting gets from the assessment requires a vote among property owners who benefit from the lights.

Ballots: L.A. City Council’s vote gives city staff the green light to prepare and send out those ballots. Miguel Sangalang, who oversees the bureau, said at a committee meeting earlier this month that he expects to send out ballots by April 17. Notices about the ballots will be sent out prior to the ballots themselves.

Near unanimous vote: L.A. City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez was the only “No” vote Tuesday, saying she wanted to see a more current strategic plan for the bureau. Sangalang said the bureau developed a plan in 2022 that lays out how money will be spent. Councilmember Imelda Padilla was absent for the vote.

Vote count: Votes will be weighted according to the assessment amount. Basically, the more you’re asked to pay yearly to maintain streetlights, the more your vote will count. Ballots received before June 2 will be tabulated by the L.A. City Clerk.

How much more money: According to a report, the amount needed in assessments from property owners to meet the repair and maintenance needs of the city’s streetlighting in the next fiscal year is nearly $112 million.

Use of the money: Sangalang said at a March 11 committee meeting that the extra funds would be used to double the number of staff to handle repairs and procure solar streetlights, which don’t face the threat of copper wire theft. That would all potentially reduce the time it takes to repair simple fixes down to a week. Currently, city residents wait for months to see broken streetlights repaired. The assessment would come with a three-year auditing mechanism.