LA County Considers Bold New Strategies for Wildfire Prevention and Disaster Resilience
Table of Contents
A new report proposes comprehensive changes to how Los Angeles County prepares for and responds to natural disasters, aiming to move beyond fragmented efforts and establish a more coordinated, proactive approach. The analysis, released this week alongside a detailed examination of January’s fire calamities, highlights the need for significant investment and structural reform to protect communities from increasingly frequent and severe events.
Report Criticizes Past Recovery Efforts as “Disorganized”
A recent assessment by Climate Resolve and Resilient Cities Catalyst, titled “Think Big and Act Boldly,” found that previous fire recovery initiatives, while “robust,” lacked a unified vision and clear leadership. The report asserts that a more strategic and coordinated response is crucial to effectively address the growing threat of wildfires, floods, heat waves, and earthquakes impacting the region.
One key recommendation is a thorough, independent review of communication systems that failed during recent fire events. Additionally, the organizations advocate for a coordinated fundraising effort by charities to assist homeowners with “hardening” their properties – implementing measures to make homes more resistant to fire damage – a cost many rebuilding residents cannot afford independently.
To streamline rebuilding efforts in fire-affected areas, the report proposes the creation of three geographically distinct authorities focused on Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu/Westside unincorporated neighborhoods. The analysis deemed it “politically unfeasible” to combine the City of Los Angeles with other governmental entities, arguing that separate authorities would be more effective in driving planning and reconstruction within each unique fire zone.
These authorities would be granted significant powers, including the ability to purchase and sell land, consolidate properties, negotiate with builders, and leverage economies of scale to reduce rebuilding costs. They would also coordinate logistical support, such as truck deliveries and workforce housing, and issue bonds to fund essential infrastructure improvements. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is currently awaiting legal recommendations on how to proceed with a similar proposal.
A “Resiliency District” Funded by Sales Tax
Perhaps the most ambitious proposal is the creation of a county-wide “resiliency district” dedicated to disaster prevention, not just response. The report envisions securing $600 million annually through a quarter-cent increase to the local sales tax. This funding would be allocated to a range of preventative measures, including enhanced rainwater capture and debris basin clearing in the San Gabriel Mountains, and county-wide home vulnerability audits.
The district could also facilitate bulk purchases of fire-resistant materials like noncombustible siding and ember-resistant vents, and expand brace-and-bolt programs to mitigate earthquake damage. According to Jonathan Parfrey, executive director of Climate Resolve, public surveys indicate strong support for increased disaster preparedness. However, he acknowledged that establishing the district would be a “big lift,” requiring legislative approval to raise the sales tax limit and a successful ballot initiative.
“The upside is that there would be funding to help us get ready for not only the next fire, but for heat waves, for seismic events, for floods,” Parfrey said. “It would benefit most of the L.A. County public. These fires have really landed and made people think ‘We’ve got to do something.’ ”
Other News from California
Recent headlines include updates on the Reiner murder investigation, and forecasts for a potentially significant winter storm – the “Pineapple Express” – bringing heavy rain and snow to California. Travel numbers are expected to reach record highs this holiday season despite the challenging weather conditions.
