LOS ANGELES — A week has passed since two major wildfires drove tens of thousands of individuals from their residences in the Los Angeles region, and authorities announced on Thursday that it will be quite some time before evacuees can return home. Investigation efforts for human remains in the devastated neighborhoods are ongoing, as concerns grow over the risks posed by burned slopes that may lead to landslides, along with the presence of hazardous materials such as asbestos in the charred debris.
Over 80,000 residents remain under evacuation orders, many uncertain about the fate of their homes, apartments, and personal belongings. Numerous individuals have congregated at various checkpoints, urging police and military personnel enforcing access restrictions to allow them into their communities.
Authorities empathize with the frustrations of the evacuees, yet they request patience as teams trained to handle hazardous materials and specially trained dogs perform thorough inspections of the affected areas, block by block. Officials expect it will take at least a week before residents may be permitted to return.
“The damage to the properties is unimaginable,” said Mark Pestrella, the Director of Los Angeles County Public Works, during a media briefing. “They are inundated with sediment, debris, silt, and hazardous materials.”
In certain areas behind damaged structures, hillsides have become unstable, and a minor landslide in Pacific Palisades this week resulted in debris spilling into the streets.
As firefighting efforts continue against the two largest blazes, which have claimed 27 lives and destroyed more than 12,000 structures, grieving families and displaced business owners face the immense task of starting anew.
The dimensions of this recovery effort are staggering, as the landscape devastated by the fires is approximately three times larger than Manhattan, marking one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in the history of Southern California.
In response to the health risks posed, county officials issued a ban on any fire debris cleanup until a thorough inspection for hazardous materials is completed by governmental agencies.
Additionally, the city is focusing on maintaining an unhindered storm drainage system to prevent blockages when rainfall returns in the upcoming weeks—a rainstorm itself may trigger mudslides.
The timing of the fires comes as the city navigates a post-pandemic recovery period characterized by altered work dynamics and high vacancy rates in many downtown structures. Moreover, plans are in motion for the 2028 Olympics amid an ongoing homelessness crisis that had previously been the focus for Mayor Karen Bass prior to the fires.
While officials have not yet provided damage estimates, private-sector projections suggest losses may escalate into the tens of billions of dollars, potentially positioning these blazes as the most expensive fire disaster in U.S. history.
In Altadena, just northeast of Los Angeles, Alex Rosewood and nearly her entire family lost their homes, including those of her father whom she and her husband lived with, as well as her aunt, uncle, and cousin living next door.
They faced a heartbreaking loss of cherished items such as her grandmother’s playing cards, an unfinished quilt, wedding photos, and family heirlooms from her grandfather who served in the Navy—all consumed by fire as the sky darkened with smoke.
Despite the tragedy, Altadena remains the heart of their community. “We all plan to rebuild, for sure,” she expressed.
Yet, challenging questions loom over whether rebuilding in these perilous zones is wise, particularly in light of climate change.
What will the reconstructed neighborhoods look like? Will fire-resistant materials and design innovations be utilized? Are additional and wider roads necessary to facilitate quicker evacuations and enhance access for firefighting teams during future emergencies?
Michael Hricak, an adjunct architecture professor at the University of Southern California, mentioned, “It’s going to be a while before we can get in there and construct anything,” referencing the hazardous materials and wreckage littering the area.
He also stated, “It’s not about being tougher than nature; it’s about respecting it and being aware of the challenges ahead.”
Hricak raised concerns, asking, “Are we just inviting another problem down the road?”
The recovery process in the Northern California town of Paradise, where the deadliest wildfire in the state’s history resulted in 85 fatalities in 2018, provides some indication of the prolonged and challenging recovery ahead.
That devastating fire claimed around 11,000 homes—approximately 90% of the community’s structures—yet only around 3,200 homes and apartments have been rebuilt to date.
The town, which once boasted a population of 26,000, continues to grapple with soaring construction costs, expensive insurance premiums, and uncertainty regarding potential compensation for those displaced due to a disastrous blaze caused by Pacific Gas & Electric.
In Los Angeles, notorious for its bureaucratic intricacies, Mayor Bass recently signed an executive order aimed at expediting the rebuilding process for residents.
The federal government has allocated $100 million to eliminate hazardous household waste, including paints, cleaners, asbestos, and batteries from the rubble, paving the way for debris clearance. Robert Fenton Jr., a regional administrator for FEMA, described this plan as a foundational step in helping residents return to their homes.
Moreover, FEMA is providing assistance to residents who require temporary lodging solutions.
Among those affected, Michele Baron and her daughter visited a recovery center in West Los Angeles to obtain new birth certificates and Social Security cards after losing nearly all in the fire that consumed their Pacific Palisades apartment of 21 years. Though her daughter managed to salvage a ring and pottery she made as a child, the future remains uncertain.
Yet, amid the trauma, Baron expressed a desire to rebuild within their community, stating, “Now that I can go anywhere, I kind of don’t want to.”
