The Board of Supervisors approved a motion to establish a Disaster Recovery Rebuild Authority for the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains and Altadena, marking an important milestone in the county's long-term rebuilding and recovery from the devastating 2025 wildfires.
The action builds on work led by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, who convened the Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire Safe Recovery to bring together experts and community voices. The commission recommended establishing a unified rebuilding authority to coordinate recovery, reduce costs and support communities in rebuilding safer and more resiliently.
"A Rebuilding Authority is essential to recover at the scale the 2025 wildfire disasters demand," Horvath said. "This Authority will help families return home faster while ensuring we rebuild safer, more resilient communities that are better prepared for the future."
"Our wildfire survivors deserve focused support and follow-through," said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. "As the County takes on more than $2 billion in infrastructure repairs in Altadena, we need a dedicated team whose only job is to move this work forward."
The motion directs county leadership to return with a framework for standing up the authority, including a launch plan, staffing and resource needs, and a comprehensive financial strategy. It also advances continued development of an infrastructure master plan for fire-impacted areas, strengthens disaster recovery coordination within the Chief Executive Office and bolsters permitting capacity to keep rebuilding moving efficiently.
The motion follows the creation of Disaster Recovery Financing Districts for both fire areas to ensure local tax revenue is reinvested in local public infrastructure.
The Feb. 10 board meeting also included a companion motion authored by Horvath to advance implementation of the Blue Ribbon Commission's other recommendations.
Together, these actions strengthen the county's ability to help residents return home and ensure rebuilding decisions reduce future wildfire risk and improve long-term resilience for communities across Los Angeles County.
Edited by SMDP Staff