Los Angeles County leaders are considering dramatic changes to how fire recovery and rebuilding are managed following the devastating Palisades and Eaton Fires. A commission formed in response to the wildfires has proposed the creation of new local authorities, including a fire rebuilding plan, “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” and a fire-specific “LA County Fire Control District.”
The report, developed with input from UCLA climate and policy centers, emphasizes community-led rebuilding. The Resilient Rebuilding Authority would be empowered with financing and land acquisition tools to remove barriers for residents and businesses, speeding up the restoration of essential infrastructure.
In addition, the commission suggested forming a fire control district focused solely on wildfire mitigation and response. These changes aim to give communities more autonomy in disaster recovery and reduce dependence on broader county bureaucracy.
California State Sen. Sasha Pérez (D-Altadena), representing areas hit by the Eaton Fire, has introduced SB 782. The bill allows for the creation of “climate resilience districts” capable of raising and managing their own tax revenues, bypassing traditional local government hurdles.
State Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), whose district includes Pacific Palisades, has backed the plan, highlighting the ability to reinvest future tax revenues into rebuilding. “Instead of all the money from the neighborhood in the near future going to City Hall, you’re able to capture some of that money in advance… it becomes a kind of virtuous cycle,” he said.
The effort has begun to gain support among local leaders, including L.A. City Councilmember Traci Park. Many community members see the proposals as a necessary shift in power to local hands, after feeling abandoned during emergencies by city officials focused on broader political agendas.
