Resources for Near- and Long-Term Fire Recovery
The fires in Southern California that erupted earlier this month continue to threaten communities in the region—but recovery work is already aimed at reducing the disruption and displacement of residents and businesses affected by the fires.
Recently, Los Angeles County invited SCAG to join two critical task forces led by the Los Angeles County Department of Planning to aid in the rebuild and recovery from the Eaton and Palisades fires. Other individuals and organizations will be included in these task forces as they become more active, and SCAG will continue to provide updates on the activities and announcements emerging from the task forces.
While the lessons of these devastating fires will be analyzed for months and years to come, numerous resources are available to support all Southern California communities as they begin recovery work and continue to prepare for future wildfires and extreme weather risks.
Immediate Recovery Services
The Los Angeles Department of City Planning (DCP) has launched numerous services to support the rebuilding and recovery of structures destroyed by the Palisades fire, as detailed on a fact sheet published online. DCP has also opened a Disaster Recovery Center, open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., at 10850 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, 90064.
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-4-25, which, among other actions, suspends the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Coastal Act for projects to “repair, restore, demolish, or replace property or facilities substantially damaged or destroyed as a result of this emergency.” Gov. Newsom’s order also enacts price gouging restrictions and tasks the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of General Services, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the California Energy Commission provide regular reports on regulations, such as permitting regulations or building standards, that could be suspended to streamline recovery projects.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued Executive Order No. 1 to expedite community rebuilding and recovery within city boundaries.
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) is offering a broad range of resources for wildfire survivors, including access and functional needs, aging services, essential services, food and agriculture, health information, legal assistance, schools and education, transportation, and more. For local elected officials and bureaucrats, CalOES also offers guidance on issuing evacuation warnings and evacuation orders, along with boilerplate language that can be used to quickly communicate evacuation needs to residents.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created a “Community Recovery Toolkit,” which offers guidance on developing and implementing recovery strategies specific to wildfire impacts, including strategies for housing, infrastructure, and economic recovery. The toolkit also links to federal funding opportunities and partnerships to support wildfire recovery efforts, along with guidance around grant management, community finances, and rules for disaster funding.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published the “Planning for Natural Disaster Debris” report, offering guidance on managing wildfire debris, including ash, hazardous materials, and structural remains, to protect public health and speed recovery. The report also provides guidance on working with FEMA and state agencies to streamline debris removal and disposal in areas affected by wildfire.
Long-Term Planning and Resilience
The SCAG “Regional Climate Adaptation Framework” helps local jurisdictions in Southern California plan and implement strategies to adapt to climate change impacts, including wildfires. It provides tools, data, and best practices for building resilience in infrastructure, housing, and natural systems. The framework supports collaboration between regional and local entities to address climate vulnerabilities and integrate adaptation measures into local planning efforts.
SCAG will be releasing new resilience tools in 2025, including a new wildfire risk screening layer as part of an update to the Housing, Environment, and Land Use Parcel Tool (HELPR) and a new “Resilience Toolkit” with information on planning for resilience.
SCAG’s Joint Policy Committee meeting on Feb. 5 will center on a discussion on recovery and resilience lessons for the region, including SCAG’s involvement with the L.A. County recovery task forces. The agenda for the meeting will be published online 72 hours before the meeting.