Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles-area officials Monday announced new measures to speed-up recovery and rebuilding efforts six months after the deadly fires that devastated Altadena, Pacific Palisades and nearby communities.
At a news conference at Pasadena City College, Newsom and a number of elected officials from the area detailed plans for a “restoration phase,” which he said will include lower construction costs, reduced property taxes and fast rebuilding.
The governor also honored the 30 lives lost in the Eaton and Palisades fires that erupted amid intense winds the night of Jan. 7, burning throughout the remainder of the month and damaging tens of thousands of properties.
“I’m grateful that we’re here. Altadena, in particular, is a special community,” Newsom said. “In Altadena, the average life lost is 77 years old. We had great grandparents, not just grandparents, and we had a father and a son that died. Brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles that perished in this fire.
“I hope it puts in perspective the moment we’re in,” he added. “I hope it also puts in perspective how blessed we are to be here … and to have the opportunity to be part of this recovery.”
In a statement following the announcement in Pasadena, Newsom touted the swift cleanup work led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“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. Now we turn the page to rebuilding, and we’re doing it with a clear plan, strong partnerships, and the urgency this moment demands.”
Recovery efforts will prioritize restoring community focal points alongside individual homes, Newsom said. He signed executive orders Monday expanding exemptions under the Coastal Act and California Environmental Quality Act to hasten the construction of homes and schools, exempting fire-affected homes from certain building codes to prevent delays, while still requiring compliance with local zoning regulations.
LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Altadena, attended the Monday media briefing and thanked the governor, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other officials for their partnership in the aftermath of the disaster.
“Reaching the six-month anniversary of the Los Angeles wildfires reminds us that while recovery is a long journey, progress is possible when we stand together,” Barger said in a statement. “From day one, Governor Newsom and his administration have been true partners in this work, helping us cut red tape, bring resources to survivors, and rebuild with urgency and compassion. We have completed the fastest debris cleanup in California history and are now moving forward with an ambitious, people-first recovery blueprint.”
Barger announced the “LA County Forward: Blueprint for Rebuilding” plan, expected to be released in its entirety in a few weeks. The plan includes:
- Waiving requirements and lowering rebuilding costs, with on average was expected to save residents up to $30,000 during construction while offering homeowners options for their project;
- Speeding up property tax relief to provide homeowners with property value reassessments that can save them between $3,000 and $10,000 annually;
- Expediting inspections and the permitting process; and
- Undergrounding over 150 miles of overhead utility infrastructure.
The county also intends to launch AI-powered software on July 15 and hire additional staff to meet increased demand for rebuilding permits.
“We’re working to restore schools, parks, businesses, services for seniors and childcare — everything that makes a neighborhood whole,” Barger said.
Bass was scheduled to attend the event Monday, but the mayor responded to early morning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity at MacArthur Park in downtown LA.
Deputy Mayor Rachel Freeman spoke on her behalf and also touted the speedy cleanup work and disaster recovery. She reported that public places in Pacific Palisades are set to reopen later this month.
“Construction is well underway in the Palisades, and LA is moving beyond the initial emergency response and firmly into the rebuilding phase,” Freeman said.
Bass’ office announced Sunday that almost 80% of residential properties destroyed in the Palisades Fire are clear of debris and approved for rebuilding. Over 640 applications for home designs have been submitted to the city’s Department of Building and Safety.
“We owe it to the families who lost everything to continue cutting red tape and working around the clock until this community is rebuilt even stronger than before,” Bass said in a statement.
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, along with Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, and Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, also spoke at Monday’s event in Pasadena.
Padilla emphasized the need for more federal funding to support Southern California’s fire recovery.
“Mother Nature does not discriminate — natural disasters can impact any state, any region in the country, regardless of your political leanings,” Padilla said, noting the recent flash floods in Texas that have claimed more than 80 lives.
As California enters peak fire season, Padilla criticized Trump administration plans “to completely dismantle FEMA, diverting critical firefighting crews from the California National Guard away from their core missions, and targeting immigrants and day laborers who work in essential sectors for rebuilding Los Angeles,” according to a statement from the senator’s office.
Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo thanked state, federal and county agencies for their support during recovery efforts.
“Thanks to these strong partnerships, and the strength and heart of our local community, we have forged a path of recovery that is not only steady — it is, by all measures, unprecedented in its pace and coordination,” Gordo said in a statement.
More information about Monday’s executive orders and LA wildfire recovery work is on the governor’s website.
