Amidst ongoing fires, strong winds send ominous warnings, and in devastated areas, people sift through the wreckage in hope of finding belongings or lost pets. Sooner or later, choices must be made—by residents, officials, and planners—about the fate of these charred lands.
For those who lived and lost everything in what stands as the most destructive fire in Los Angeles County history, the question remains: should they relocate permanently, or rebuild the neighborhoods they knew? In the Palisades, the community was a mix of long-time residents and newcomers. Over in Altadena, some families had called this place home for generations. As they weigh their options, it’s crucial that the rest of us, including local and state leaders, ensure these folks are not driven away again by policies that prevent rebuilding.
Yet, given the track record of severe fires over recent decades, it’s evident that we need to rethink how we build our communities. This doesn’t mean abandoning affected areas altogether. Instead, it calls for strategic measures like creating fire breaks and buffer zones to provide a safety net between homes and wildlands and using materials and design features that can better withstand fires.
Every catastrophic urban fire sparked by California wildfires carries a lesson in smarter, safer urban planning. Building codes have evolved, leading to more fire-resistant homes, but there’s still a long way to go.
“The building industry keeps insisting, ‘We can safely build in these areas,’” remarks J.P. Rose, a policy director at the Center for Biological Diversity who advocates for stricter building regulations in fire-prone zones. “It fails to acknowledge that these codes aren’t foolproof, as buildings compliant with them have still burned. We’re literally risking everything by not re-evaluating their effectiveness.”
One unchanged aspect is the places Californians choose to call home. For years, many have settled on hillsides, within canyons, or across foothills, driven not just by the scenic views, but also by community ties, proximity to family and employment.
Rebuilding in areas susceptible to fires might mean undertaking costly measures like burying power lines, expanding roads for evacuation, or installing rooftop sprinklers. The price may be high—but so is the cost of devastation from fires.
In the days ahead, discussions will surely arise about whether there were sufficient firefighters on the ground or if proactive measures were taken during the warnings of windstorms.
“The tragedy and damage from recent wildfires should have been enough to remind California of the dangers of expanding into wildfire-prone areas. Yet, the leaders have largely remained inactive. What will it take?” This was expressed over five years ago.
Nevertheless, if we wish to continue living here and meet the urgent housing demand—which predates the fires leaving thousands homeless—we must build wisely, keeping in mind an environment that’s becoming more challenging.
Moreover, we need to support each other as neighbors, especially those striving to rebuild. Challenges abound, but the returning residents are key to finding viable solutions.
