the reality of rebuilding after a wildfire
It took 24 days to burn over 37,000 acres and destroy over 16,000 structures; twenty-nine people died. Even in wildfire-prone Los Angeles County, the unprecedented Eaton and Palisades fires became some of the most destructive in history, with estimated financial losses exceeding $250 billion.
People who thought they lived in their forever homes instantly lost their houses, belongings, and communities. The days and weeks following the catastrophe left residents barely able to digest what happened, without a roadmap for moving forward. Some will move out of LA. For those who stay, the process of rebuilding after a wildfire can be complicated and challenging.
A Path Forward
The Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed not only houses, but also people’s sense of normalcy and day-to-day lives. The fires struck people with grief and shock, forcing them to manage an ever-expanding to-do list, all while possibly returning to work or sending their children to school.
The tasks in the first days following a wildfire include:
speaking with insurance companies about the value of their homes and property
acquiring a caseworker to help handle disaster management and begin the recovery process
connecting with community groups to receive support and aid
contacting mortgage companies or landlords
documenting the damage (once the fire department ensures the property is safe to enter)
replacing essential documents like Driver’s licenses or credit cards
securing temporary housing
Since the fires, the recovery process is underway, but progress remains slow. The Department of Water and Power lifted the “Do Not Drink” orders for the Palisades, but the order is still in effect for two zones in Altadena and may not be lifted until the end of April.
History of Recovery
Previous fire disasters paint a picture of variable paces of housing recovery after wildfires. The timing of recovery is based on many factors, including homeowner’s finances, local government responses, and overall magnitude of the fire itself. In any combination of these components, the recovery process involves three milestones: debris removal, acquiring building permits, and receiving certificates of occupancy.
Percentage of Houses Achieving Rebuilding Milestones 24 Months Post-disaster*
|
Debris Removal |
Permits | Occupancy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carr Fire | 100% | 27% | 16% |
| Camp Fire | 100% | 11% | 4% |
| Marshall Fire | 90% | 64% | 36% |
| Maui Fire | 82% | 14% | 0% |
*Maui fire data is 18 months post-disaster; data from Urban Institute
The relatively quick pace of the Marshall Fire recovery bodes well for the Palisades and Altadena which are also located in major metropolitan areas. Benefits of living in such a region include access to a healthy construction industry and a supply of homes that can shelter survivors as they wait for the opportunity to rebuild.
The Choice to Rebuild
Building a home is a highly regulated, time-consuming process. It is a complex challenge even under normal circumstances, without the need to first clear debris and hazardous waste. In most cases of rebuilding after a wildfire, the cleanup process will also involve removing the house’s foundation - a “from scratch” effort adding more steps and time to rebuild.
The decision to rebuild is not made lightly. Some homeowners have long paid off their homes and do not want the financial burden of rebuilding after a wildfire. Some do not have the money. Many homeowners were underinsured, relied on the bare-bones FAIR plan (for those who couldn’t obtain private coverage), or were left without insurance after price increases became more than they could afford.
Given the financial roadblocks of waiting for money from FEMA or other government assistance, holding out for insurance payouts, or dealing with the possibility of being underinsured, many people are choosing to sell their vacant lots. Others are redirecting their grief and anxiety into determination to rebuild, despite the financial hurdles.
They might meet additional roadblocks, such as ensuring their new home is hardened and fire-ready, fulfilling new and demanding safety requirements, waiting for building permit approvals, and finding qualified contractors, to name a few. There are thousands of other decisions that go into new construction — none of which is likely to happen on a comfortable timeline.
Both the state of California and Los Angeles County are committed to fast-tracking recovery efforts. The speedy local government response after the Marshall Fire shows that a relatively fast rebuild timeline is possible. The balance would require cutting the red tape to shorten the time frame from fire to rebuild without ignoring new safety codes. Governor Gavin Newsom has already issued executive orders to streamline building and recovery. To point out one bright spot, the first fire-related building permit was issued by Los Angeles on March 5, 2025.
Restoring Communities — Not Just Homes
Rebuilding after a wildfire is only a part of the larger picture — recovery includes a look at the future with pre-mitigation steps as well as restoring people’s sense of place within a community. Lotus Rising LA is dedicated to helping families rebuild homes that are stronger and wildfire-resistant by collaborating with prefab manufacturers and contractors.
Some homeowners have already received insurance payouts and are searching for contractors, while others do not have that level of coverage. Lotus Rising LA will fill those gaps that insurance or other support will not cover so that groups of people who are often left behind are included. It is not just about rebuilding structures – it is also about restoring communities and making homes as resilient as the people who live in them.
We put together a checklist to help you take the next steps
Simple, practical things people rebuilding after a wildfire have found helpful in the days and weeks after.
If you’d like a copy, enter your email and we’ll send it your way.
References:
Adeniyi, L. (2025). Government resources to support rebuilding and recovery after wildfires. Los Angeles Times
CA Department of Forestry & Fire Protection. Comprehensive Guide to Rebuilding Post-Wildfire: CAL FIRE
Chang et al. (2025). Behind the staggering economic toll of the L.A. wildfires. Los Angeles Times
Darmiento, L. & Lin, S. (2025). First, they lost their home insurance. Then, L.A. fires consumed their homes. Los Angeles Times
Dillon, L. & Smith, D. (2025). In milestone, L.A. approves first permits for rebuilding homes after palisades fire. Los Angeles Times
FEMA. (2019). After the Fire. U.S. Fire Administration
Girardin, S. & Haskell, J. (2025). Rebuilding LA: A look at the progress made 2 months after fires. ABC 7 Eyewitness News
Hayes, R. (2025). Altadena's first fire-ravaged property sells for $550,000. ABC7 Eyewitness News
Ho, S. & Nguyen, T. (2025). LA neighbors have vastly different post-wildfire rebuilding options due to insurance crisis. AP News
Hoffman et al. (2025). LA fires aftermath: How people are rebuilding after losing almost everything. ABC News
Pasadena Now. (2025). Two Altadena water districts lift “Do not drink” orders, but one remains off limits. Pasadena Now
Rumbach et al. (2025). When will Los Angeles rebuild? Comparing housing recovery timelines after four recent wildfires. Urban Institute
Siegler, K. (2025). Tough choices about whether to rebuild after LA wildfires. NPR
State of CA Governor Gavin Newsom. (2025). Here are all the actions Governor Newsom has taken in response to the Los Angeles fires. Official Website of the State of CA
Disclaimer: The content shared in our blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. Please consult with a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.
