It’s been 16 months since the Palisades and Eaton Fires destroyed two historic communities in L.A. and the path forward, for many, is as unclear as ever. A little more than 4500 building permits have been approved in the burn areas - far fewer are in active construction. Most people still do not have enough money to rebuild. There are outstanding lawsuits and settlements that could make a difference but timing is uncertain. There are also questions about infrastructure: water and power and whether or not favorite grocery stores, restaurants or even neighbors will return. There are questions about sustainability and resilience. Will these neighborhoods be safer or will the same risks remain after people move back in? The conversation around real solutions seems to be, for the most part lost among all the questions and the very real anger so many survivors still feel about what happened on January 7th and 8th. Guests: Noah Haggerty, Science and Environment Reporter, Los Angeles Times. 

The Palisades fire discourse is stuck in January 2025: https://www.latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2026-02-19/why-the-palisades-fire-discourse-is-stuck 

Long-awaited reports outline problems with Palisades infrastructure: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-02-19/long-awaited-reports-outline-problems-with-palisades-infrastructure 

Owners of fire-destroyed Palisades mobile home park seek to displace residents for development deal: https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-03-05/fire-destroyed-mobile-home-park-seeks-development-deal-displacing-residents 

Officials considered warning Altadena before Eaton fire, but no alert was sent: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-24/fire-weather-alerts-eaton-fire-wildfires-how-to-improve-early-warnings 

Turning the Altadena fire into a civil rights crusade: Was discrimination against Black residents at play?: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-14/was-discrimination-behind-botched-eaton-fire-response-civil-rights-attorney-considers-lawsuit 

Investors keep buying up burned lots in Altadena, Pacific Palisades. Could Congress limit such sales? https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-03/ca-senator-wants-to-halt-investors-buying-properties-after-disasters 

With Pacific Palisades in spotlight, Altadena fights for attention, post-fire justice: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-02-22/palisades-in-limelight-west-altadena-fights-for-justice-eaton-fire