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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 brush fire in the Newhall Pass between Los Angeles and Santa Clarita Valley has prompted officials to close all northbound lanes, according to an e-mail alert from KNX1070. Traffic is being re-routed from the northbound 5 freeway to 14. An alternative route that may help is Santa Clarita's cross-valley connector....
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Firefighters are battling a second-alarm fire that broke out just before noon today, according to abc7. The fire began "on a vacant lot near the Calabasas City Hall at Las Virgenes Road near the 101 Freeway." Shortly after the fire began, it moved through 8 acres. While the blaze "is burning near several apartment complexes and subdivisions," at this time there are no reports of structures being threatened. Smoke from the fire is reportedly...
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A Los Angeles County fire helicopter makes a water drop on flames in the Crown fire near Palmdale, Calif., Friday, July 30, 2010 (AP Photo/Mike Meadows) As of early this morning, firefighters working diligently to control the Crown Fire have met with much success, and have reached a reported 87% containment, according to LA Now. Although the air was hot and dry, calmer winds aided in the effort to keep the blaze from spreading....
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At least two brush fires are burning in northern Los Angeles County this afternoon. In Agua Dulce, near Acton, a blaze that broke out around 2 p.m. has burned through some 25 to 30 acres, according to KCAL-TV. At first it burned through grassy fields, but recently went into thicker brush, prompting 15- to 20-foot flame lengths. Two abandoned structures have burned, but no homes are currently threatened, reported the news broadcast. 200 firefighters...
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via LAPD Police are looking for the man accused of killing a 34-year-old woman and setting fire to the house last Saturday. Cheree Osmanhodzic's fiance that evening went to the store and returned home to find a man inside. He gave chase, but lost sight of the suspect a few blocks away. When he returned home, the house was on fire. Police believe the suspect killed Osmanhodzic and may have it the place on...
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A brush fire that has broken out on the eastside of the 5 Freeway in the Newhall Pass has severely slowed traffic from Los Angeles to the Santa Clarita Valley. The five-acre fire eruprted this afternoon and is threatening a dozen homes in the Newhall area, according to CBS2. The California Highway Patrol hopes to open at least one lane on the northbound 5 Freeway soon, but recommends commuters take the 14 Freeway and...
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Firefighters are responding to a brush fire in La Cañada-Flintridge that is threatening at least one structure, according to cbs2.com. Personnel from Pasadena and Los Angeles City Fire departments are on the scene, which is reported by abc7 as being near 430 Gleneagles Place [map] which is situated in the Angeles National Forest south of the Hahamonga Watershed Park area. The quarter-acre fire was first reported around noon....
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The "Neenach" Fire in Lancaster broke out this morning and has now burned over 30 acres in the area near Highway 138 and 230th Street [map], according to cbs2. The blaze has been classified as "second-alarm," and fire crews are on scene. There are no injuries, say authorities, and currently no structures are threatened. The cause of the wildfire is now under investigation....
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A brush fire that broke out this afternoon on the side of the 118 Freeway near Rocky Peak Road [map] has now been designated a major emergency brush fire, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The blaze began over 5 acres on the north side of the freeway, and with Ventura County Fire responding initially, now over 100 LAFD personnel are on scene and en route. The fire is moving northward, though there...
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Inside the Dakota Lounge (via Dakota's website) An early morning fire that broke out yesterday at the Dakota Lounge in Santa Monica essentially gutted the popular restaurant and music club, leaving all but the sound board and stage destroyed, reports the Santa Monica Daily Press. The fire damage was intensive; by the time firefighters arrived on scene the roof had already collapsed. Dakota Co-owner Sabrina Roark took in the devastation: "There's no roof, my...
