April 29th, 2025

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath will speak at the Milken Institute Global Conference to highlight Los Angeles County’s wildfire recovery progress, marking four months since devastating fires and landslides swept through the region. Los Angeles County has led one of the fastest post-disaster recovery efforts in the nation—with rapid debris clearance, funding mobilization, infrastructure restoration, and a forward-looking rebuilding strategy that reflects a community-first approach to recovery. 

“It’s been four months since the fires forever changed our communities—and in that time, we’ve cleared debris, restored transit, delivered relief funding, and issued the first rebuilding permits,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “These milestones represent more than recovery progress—they are a reflection of our shared commitment to rebuild stronger, safer, and more equitably. Our communities showed up for each other in the hardest moments, and now it’s our responsibility to make sure government keeps showing up for them—with speed, with compassion, and with lasting solutions. This is a milestone worth marking—but we will not stop here.” 

In less than 120 days, nearly 4,000 fire-impacted properties were cleared through the County-administered Private Property Debris Removal program—an unprecedented pace that set the stage for families to begin rebuilding. That momentum is already translating into action, with dozens of homeowners advancing in the permitting process. In Sunset Mesa, one of the communities hardest hit by the January fires, the first rebuilding permit has been issued. 

Key recovery milestones include: 

• LA County is leading the fire debris removal program, coordinating efforts to safely clear impacted properties and expedite the rebuilding process. 
• Nearly 4,000 properties cleared, enabling safe rebuilding to begin. 
• Tahitian Terrace mobile home community was accepted into the debris removal program, bringing residents one step closer to returning home.  
• More than $54 million in recovery funding has been distributed to support temporary housing, uninsured losses, and critical repairs. Infrastructure projects, including roads and utilities, are also underway to stabilize affected communities. 
• LA County to clear remaining fire debris from non-responsive private properties if owners don’t act by the June 30, 2025 deadline, protecting public health and accelerating recovery.  
• Students displaced by the fires have returned to in-person learning at a temporary Palisades Charter High School campus at the historic Sears building in downtown Santa Monica. 
• Daily Beach Bus service restored, reconnecting isolated communities during road closures. The Topanga Beach Bus has resumed daily service, reconnecting canyon neighborhoods to Santa Monica during ongoing road closures. 
• The County has launched a Pilot Self-Certification Program to streamline permitting for fire-impacted homeowners. The program, co-authored by Supervisor Horvath and Chair Barger, helps eligible residents rebuild faster in unincorporated areas. 
• Leveraging Artificial Intelligence technology to accelerate the rebuilding permit process through support from Governor Newsom, Steadfast LA, and LA Rises. 

A key milestone in the County’s long-term recovery is the release of the initial recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire-Safe Recovery. Supervisor Horvath launched the independent Commission with support from the California Community Foundation and research partner UCLA in the immediate aftermath of the fires to provide fast, expert-driven guidance for rebuilding safely and sustainably. The initial recommendations are now live, offering clear strategies for financing rebuilds, fire-resistant construction, enhanced water storage, and affordable energy-efficient design. 

As recovery continues, Los Angeles County remains focused on delivering results that reflect the urgency and resilience of its communities. The work is far from over, but with each cleared property, restored service, and rebuilt home, the path forward becomes clearer — and stronger. 

To view the Milken Livestream, click here. 

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