Trump executive order targets 'overly burdensome' permitting in LA fire zones

Topline:

What's in the order? One provision of the executive order suggests allowing builders self-certify compliance with health and safety standards. Another section of the order seems intended to speed up the release of federal relief funds, billions of dollars of of which have not been distributed. Another section seeks legislation on speeding up rebuilding, and a final piece orders an audit of how some federal funds have been spent. Read the full executive order here.

Newsom responds: "Trump is a clueless idiot who believes that the state and federal governments can issue local rebuilding permits," California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office told LAist. The governor also responded on social media, saying the federal government needs to release promised funds.

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County supervisor responds: “I welcome any effort to responsibly accelerate rebuilding," Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose district includes Altadena, said in a statement Tuesday. She added that L.A. County has a self-certification process for rebuilding and that permits typically take 30 business days, unless the rebuilds are complicated. Barger's statement continued: "The most urgent need in the Altadena region is financially driven. Families lack the capital to kick start or continue their rebuilding plans. Our county will soon face a mass sheltering crisis as survivors’ insurance and emergency relief funds run out. As FEMA’s role expands into this new recovery function, I’m hopeful that the federal government will collaborate with our county to implement a mass housing and sheltering program and offer long-term disaster aid."

The context: The president's order blasts state and local authorities for failing to prevent and adequately respond to the Eaton and Palisades fires. After-action reports have pointed out failures in the lead-up to the fires, as well as the response. Local leaders have acknowledged some failings, as well. Local official sources also point to extremely dry and windy conditions that quickly overwhelmed emergency responders. The rebuilding process has been sluggish for many, frustrated by slow insurance payouts, complications with utility connections and, yes, permitting — along with a host of other issues.

The return of old claims: Trump also said irresponsible forest management policies made the fires worse. LAist has assessed that claim — specifically whether brush clearance could have prevented the Palisades Fire — and found that inadequate home hardening was a much bigger issue. Californians have long suffered the effects of wind driven fires, which are a natural part of the state's ecology. The president also raised the issue of Palisades fire hydrants in the executive order, but a state report recently found that water supply in the area was overtaxed by an unrelenting firefight and that even a functioning Santa Ynez reservoir likely wouldn’t have done much in the face of an unprecedented natural disaster.

— LAist science reporter Jacob Margolis and "All Things Considered" producer Kevin Tidmarsh contributed to this report.