Mayor Karen Bass announced on Friday that Steve Soboroff, former president of the Los Angeles Police Commission, will lead the city’s wildfire recovery efforts as the newly appointed chief recovery officer. Soboroff, a seasoned real estate developer and civic leader, will oversee rebuilding initiatives in the wake of the devastating Palisades fire.
The fire, which began 10 days ago in Pacific Palisades, has claimed at least eight lives and destroyed over 3,500 structures. While the focus of recovery is within the city of Los Angeles, the nearby Eaton fire in Altadena continues to burn, adding to the region’s challenges.
“Our absolute priority is to return Angelenos to their homes and rebuild,” Bass said. “Steve knows our communities, he knows how to activate City Hall, he knows how to engage the public, business, nonprofit and philanthropic resources needed for this massive effort. There is no one better equipped to create our rebuilding plan. We will work closely together to move a strategy forward to rebuild neighborhoods that are stronger, more resilient and more united than ever before. I am enormously grateful that Steve Soboroff agreed to give himself to Los Angeles once again.”
Mayor Bass has faced criticism for her response to the disaster. In an effort to accelerate recovery, she issued an executive order earlier this week aimed at expediting the rebuilding of homes and businesses affected by the fire. Soboroff’s leadership is expected to play a critical role in implementing these plans and addressing the extensive damage caused by the wildfire.
