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LA's wildfires: Your recovery guide
Your game plan for what happens next. LAist will be there every step of the way.
The Palisades and Eaton fires leveled whole neighborhoods and killed 31 people.
LAist reported 24/7 on the initial days of devastation. Our immediate job was clear: Make listeners aware of the urgency of the disaster, get them the resources they needed to stay safe, dispel rumors and misinformation that spread via social media and connect people to each other at a time of great distress.
Once the fire danger was over, LAist committed to helping fire victims navigate the complicated systems needed to recover — answering questions about insurance, renting, politics and gaps in the emergency response.
| Palisades Fire | Eaton Fire | |
| Acreage | 23,448 acres | 14,021 |
| Containment | 100% | 100% |
| Structures damaged or destroyed | 6,837 destroyed, 973 damaged | 9,414 destroyed, 1,074 damaged |
| Dead | 12 | 19 |
What's next for housing
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Residents now have until April 15 to sign up for the government's free debris removal program. The program now includes condos, not just single-family homes. -
The Zone Zero regulations on defensible space would apply to trees, potted plants, fences and other items that can catch embers and ignite. -
The new guidance contradicts earlier statements from a city official who said tenants were on the hook for post-fire decontamination inside their own units. -
With building contractors in hot demand, the state licensing board is offering tips on how to find a reputable contractor. -
California is one of the few states with building codes for wildfire protection because using fire-resistant materials helps homes survive. -
The first properties in the Palisades Fire burn area, where multi-million dollar homes once stood, are being put on the market.
What to know about insurance
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As FEMA extends deadline to sign up for free debris removal, we explain different steps of the process. -
We've got tips for navigating insurance claims in the wake of the Eaton and Palisades fires … without losing your mind.Listen 0:51 -
Most residents of middle-class Altadena could get fire insurance, but that is likely to change as residents rebuild and face price hikes. -
Here are some common mistakes or misconceptions you may run into. -
We have tips from California's insurance commissioner on how to contact the state and start the claims process, and how to keep you and your loved ones from falling for scams. -
The current fires are on track to become one of the most costly disasters in California history. That could threaten the stability of California's insurance market and make housing costs go up even more.
Do you have a question about the wildfires or fire recovery?
Check out LAist.com/FireFAQs to see if your question has already been answered. If not, submit your questions here, and we’ll do our best to get you an answer.
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Key resources
If you have a question about the firestorm, let the LAist newsroom know.
Stay informed: Fact checks
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Let us help you separate fact from fiction. -
After thousands of homes were destroyed, many are looking for ways to make Los Angeles safer from wildfires.Listen 3:40 -
Air quality experts and advocates warn of the potential dangers of smoke, ash and soot.
Don't miss our award-winning podcast
The Big Burn: How To Survive the Age of Wildfires
As the world enters a new age of wildfires, science reporter Jacob Margolis dives deep into personal stories that illuminate the history of how we got here, why we keep screwing things up, and what we can do to survive and maybe even thrive while the world around us burns.
Listen
43:19
LAist Science Reporter Jacob Margolis looks at what Angelenos affected by the LA wildfires can expect as they try to rebuild their lives. In this hour, Margolis turns to experts about what to know about housing options, recouping losses, and making homes and neighborhoods more fire resistant. And he also gets insights from a 2017 Tubbs Fire wildfire survivor about the recovery and healing process after losing everything.
Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency!
Guests:
David Wagner, LAist Housing Reporter
Alex Robertson, lawyer with Robertson & Associates, LLP
David Shew, former Cal Fire chief, Napa County Fire Administrator
Stephanie Pincetl, Professor at UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and Director of the California Center for Sustainable Communities
Melissa Geissinger, a survivor of the 2017 Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa. https://melissageissinger.com/
Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency!
Guests:
David Wagner, LAist Housing Reporter
Alex Robertson, lawyer with Robertson & Associates, LLP
David Shew, former Cal Fire chief, Napa County Fire Administrator
Stephanie Pincetl, Professor at UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and Director of the California Center for Sustainable Communities
Melissa Geissinger, a survivor of the 2017 Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa. https://melissageissinger.com/
LA Wildfires Special Coverage with Jacob Margolis: What to expect when recovering fire losses and rebuilding
Latest news
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A fire ripped through a historic Hollywood recording studio overnight, and investigators are looking into the cause of the damaging blaze. The fire at 1041 Productions located at 1041 N. Orange Drive was first reported around 7 p.m. Monday night, and took firefighters 20 minutes to extinguish.
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At least three people were shot at a burning home in East Hollywood today. Firefighters were dispatched to the burning home at 517 Harvard Blvd. just before 1pm this afternoon.
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A family in Sherman Oaks lost their home last night, while they were gathered to celebrate orthodox Christmas.
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UPDATE: 1:43 PM The LAFD report that the "stubborn" fire has been put out. No injuries were reported. The Los Angeles Fire Department is on the scene at the famed Magic Castle in Hollywood, where a fire broke out in an attic space.
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It's the beginning of autumn and you know what that means: we're sliding into fire season. Tonight it's not wind but dry lightning storms that are raising red flags in mountain communities, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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A San Dimas man made the ultimate sacrifice for his pet bird. The man Russell Bennett, 60, dashed into his burning condo yesterday to save his pet bird from the flames.
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In tonight's Extra, Extra, Aaron Sorkin's dialogue is dangerous, grocery stores say they will shutter stores during a strike and that one girl from that Rebecca Black video is coping with fame somehow. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.
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Officials with the Los Angeles Fire Department have determined that the cause of this week's Mandeville fire is the cigarettes of two guys who were standing around smoking. The fire has been ruled accidental.
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A small brush fire, covering an estimated 5-7 acres, is burning in the Lake View Terrace area, say the Los Angeles Fire Department. 65 firefighters from the LAFD, as well as Angeles National Forest ground personnel and the Los Angeles County Fire Department--with a helicopter and handcrew--are working on the blaze, which is being fanned by 5 mph breeze.
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Photo by AMagill/Flickr A house fire in the Bel Air area claimed the life of an elderly woman early this morning. The Los Angeles Fire Department reports that the blaze was reported at around 3:30 this morning at a 53-year-old two-story home on North Basil Lane. The LAFD describes the scene: Firefighters made their way up narrow windy roads to find a [the structure] well involved in fire. Additional resources were immediately requested to...
