January 7th, 2025

LOS ANGELES, CA – One year after the devastating Palisades Fire impacted communities in the Santa Monica Mountains, Los Angeles County is marking meaningful progress and commitment to the continued work ahead. 

“One year after the fires, I am continually inspired by the extraordinary strength and resilience of our communities, even as so many families are still carrying the weight of loss and uncertainty,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “Recovery is not a straight line, and while we’ve made real progress—from the fastest cleanup in US history to streamlined permitting—residents are still hurting and in need of support. Our commitment is unrelenting: LA County will not stop until families are back home, and neighborhoods are whole again. That means rebuilding not just houses, but resilient infrastructure, community spaces, and local businesses so people can truly come back and thrive.” 

Rebuilding is actively underway, with permits issued three times faster than before the fires. While significant work remains, new tools are making the process faster and easier. Tools include AI-assisted plan check, a permit self-certification process, pre-approved plans, and a resilient rebuild resource guide—informed by the critical work of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire Safe Recovery. Supervisor Horvath launched the BRC to ensure expert-driven and independent recommendations were provided to guide a robust and resilient recovery.   

The first single-family home rebuild in Sunset Mesa is expected to be completed this month, and within the unincorporated Third District, 18 single-family rebuild permits and 16 repair permits have been issued, with seven repairs already completed. Since the fires, the County has received 208 permit applications for the unincorporated Palisades Fire area. Third District staff have personally called all fire-impacted residents of Sunset Mesa, Topanga Canyon and PCH, and unincorporated Santa Monica Mountain areas to see how people are progressing in their personal recovery, and provide assistance on rebuilding in LA County.  

To reduce financial burdens on survivors, Los Angeles County has deferred and reduced fees, saving residents up to $30,000 per household, and is the only dashboard in Los Angeles publicly reporting the status of every inspection at recovery.lacounty.gov to ensure transparency throughout recovery. 

Los Angeles County has disbursed more than $51 million in direct cash assistance to households, businesses, and workers. Applications are open for fire-impacted tenants and small landlords to apply for rent relief at rentrelief.lacounty.gov, with $30 million in assistance made available by the Board of Supervisors through Supervisor Horvath’s motion this fall.  

A Disaster Relief Financing District has been initiated for the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains to reinvest local tax dollars in critical public infrastructure. Supervisor Horvath has long prioritized investments in water infrastructure and advancing a five-year, $200 million plan to strengthen Waterworks District 29—adding backup generators, expanding water storage, and improving interconnections for better fire flow. Undergrounding utility lines and accelerating roadway repairs, including on Topanga Canyon Boulevard, remain active priorities.  

Community members and media are invited to come together at the ONE YEAR COMMUNITY RISING PICNIC on Saturday, January 10, at 11:30 a.m. at Pepperdine University, to honor the strength, resilience, and solidarity shown throughout the past year. Learn more at lindseyhorvath.lacounty.gov/event/community-rising-picnic/. 

Learn more about LA County Recovers, our progress and what comes next, here.  To learn about Supervisor Horvath’s efforts to strengthen the County’s Office of Emergency Management, click here.

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