Governor Gavin Newsom is urging residents affected by the devastating January wildfires in Los Angeles County to take part in shaping recovery efforts by signing up for a new digital democracy platform, known as Engaged California.
The program, launched earlier this year, invites survivors of the Palisades and Eaton fires to share ideas, experiences and priorities with state officials as California continues to design long-term rebuilding strategies. More than 8,000 people have signed up so far, according to the Governor’s Office.
“Recovery isn’t something that happens to you, it happens with you,” Newsom said in a statement Wednesday. “The feedback generated from the Engaged California process is reflective of residents' experiences and is needed for leaders to understand their vision for rebuilding the future.”
The call to participate comes at the six-month milestone since the January firestorm tore through neighborhoods in the Santa Monica Mountains, Altadena foothills and surrounding areas, destroying thousands of homes and triggering one of the costliest fire disasters in state history. According to officials, more than 16,000 structures were damaged or destroyed, with early estimates placing total losses at $250 billion.
Residents who lived or worked in the evacuation zones are being invited to share feedback through the platform on issues ranging from housing and permitting to mental health, community safety and wildfire prevention. Topics surfaced during the pilot phase, which ran from March to May, are now guiding early action across multiple state agencies.
Among the first tangible results: the launch of Archistar, an artificial intelligence tool designed to accelerate permitting approvals in wildfire-affected areas of Los Angeles City and County. The software, developed through a state-philanthropy partnership involving LA Rises, is now in beta testing. It is intended to streamline what many survivors described as a frustrating and bureaucratic rebuilding process.
“Residents said they want an easier permit process and less red tape,” the Governor’s Office said. “This week marked the beta launch of the new AI permitting tool… to help Angelenos get back into their homes.”
In addition, the state has created the CalAssist Mortgage Fund to offer financial support to homeowners whose properties were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable.
Mental health was another priority identified by fire survivors. The recovery website ca.gov/lafires now includes access to immediate counseling services, long-term support programs and multilingual care options. A new public outreach campaign, in partnership with LA Rises, will connect survivors to those services and highlight stories of grassroots recovery efforts throughout affected neighborhoods.
“This is a significant milestone in a brand-new program for the State of California,” said Jeffery Marino, Director of the Office of Data and Innovation. “The voices of Californians impacted by the fires are being heard by their government and used to make data-driven decisions.”
Nick Maduros, Secretary of the Government Operations Agency, said the state’s use of the digital platform marks a shift in how California engages with disaster survivors. “Engaged California has given us valuable insight into how people are feeling in a moment of unimaginable tragedy,” he said. “This next step will be pivotal… to listen and learn about how rebuilding should look according to those who experienced it firsthand.”
The Governor’s Office emphasized that feedback collected through Engaged California remains anonymous and publicly accessible. Participants can connect with others in their communities and explore shared concerns while remaining in control of what they share.
The initiative reflects a broader push by the Newsom administration to modernize government services and boost responsiveness through technology. Since 2019, the state has launched the Office of Data and Innovation, the California Breakthrough Project and executive orders directing the use of generative AI for public benefit.
As of this week, Newsom said, California is “just getting started” on its wildfire recovery efforts and called on all survivors to take part. To join the platform or review comments already submitted, residents can visit engaged.ca.gov.
scott.snowden@smdp.com