February 10th, 2026

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, the Board of Supervisors approved Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath and Kathryn Barger’s motion to establish a Disaster Recovery Rebuild Authority for the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains and Altadena. The action marks an important milestone in the County’s long-term rebuilding and recovery from the devastating 2025 wildfires.

Today’s Board action builds on work led by Supervisor Horvath, who convened the Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire Safe Recovery to bring together experts and community voices. The Commission recommended establishing a unified rebuilding authority to coordinate recovery, reduce costs, and support communities in rebuilding safer and more resiliently.

“A Rebuilding Authority is essential to recover at the scale the 2025 wildfire disasters demand,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “I convened the Blue Ribbon Commission to help define what a recovery system should look like, and today’s action advances that vision—creating a coordinated approach to rebuilding homes and public infrastructure, from roads and water systems to undergrounding utilities. This Authority will help families return home faster while ensuring we rebuild safer, more resilient communities that are better prepared for the future.”

“Our wildfire survivors deserve focused support and follow-through,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “As the County takes on more than $2 billion in infrastructure repairs in Altadena, we need a dedicated team whose only job is to move this work forward. This motion starts that process within our Department of Public Works.”

“Our current systems have served us well, but the scale of this disaster calls for a more modern approach. I’m encouraged by the opportunity to give the community greater certainty around the timing of reconstruction,” Mark Pestrella, P.E., director of Los Angeles County Public Works.

The motion directs County leadership to return with a framework for standing up the Disaster Recovery Rebuild Authority, including a launch plan, staffing and resource needs, and a comprehensive financial strategy. It also advances continued development of an infrastructure master plan for fire-impacted areas, strengthens disaster recovery coordination within the Chief Executive Office, and bolsters permitting capacity to keep rebuilding moving efficiently in the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains.

The motion follows the creation of Disaster Recovery Financing Districts for both fire areas to ensure local tax revenue is reinvested in local public infrastructure.

The February 10 Board meeting also included a companion motion authored by Supervisor Horvath to advance implementation of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire Safe Recovery’s other recommendations.

That motion directs the County to assess progress to date, identify remaining actions needed to ensure a resilient and equitable recovery, and align future policy and advocacy efforts with both the Commission’s recommendations and the County’s Blueprint for Rebuilding. Together, these actions strengthen the County’s ability not only to help residents return home, but to ensure rebuilding decisions made today reduce future wildfire risk and improve long-term resilience for communities across Los Angeles County.

Read the full motion here.

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