What is Fire Rebuild?
Fire Rebuild is a community-driven initiative and informational hub created to support survivors of catastrophic fires in Los Angeles County. The focus is on those who are navigating the long, complex, and often obstructive process of rebuilding after total property loss.
This effort was born out of firsthand experience with bureaucratic failures, costly delays, and a lack of government accountability following both the 2018 Woolsey Fire and the 2025 Palisades Fire. Fire Rebuild was created to expose systemic gaps in oversight, elevate survivor experiences, and offer tools and information that empower individuals to advocate for their right to rebuild.
Fire Rebuild is not affiliated with any government agency and does not represent municipal, state, or federal authorities. It is an independent voice that stands for transparency, justice, and recovery. Rebuilding a home should never require fighting the very institutions meant to provide support.
Our Mission
- Hold leadership accountable for disaster response, permit processing, and enforcement of building and safety codes
- Document and share real stories of hardship, resistance, and resilience
- Provide a growing collection of resources, legal references, and practical guides for fire survivors
- Unite residents, policy experts, and advocates in a coalition for fair and timely rebuilding
Whether you are just beginning the rebuilding journey or have been stuck in a years-long process with no clear path forward, Fire Rebuild offers a space where you can be seen, heard, and supported. Together, we can push for the systemic changes that Los Angeles communities so urgently need.
Why Focus on Palisades and Malibu?
We are focusing on the Palisades Fire (affecting the Palisades and Malibu communities) rather than the Eaton Fire (impacting Altadena and Pasadena), because the latter communities have a clear path to recovery. Palisades and Malibu, however, will not recover without substantial and ongoing support.
The Palisades Fire was caused by negligence on the part of local government agencies and municipal entities, including the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). Because these are public entities, there is no meaningful financial recourse, no settlement funds or structured support, available to aid in recovery through litigation or other traditional avenues.
In contrast, the Eaton Fire was caused by Southern California Edison (SCE), a private utility company. This opens the door to significant legal settlements that will provide the necessary funding for Altadena and Pasadena to fully recover and rebuild.
Without meaningful intervention and dedicated support, the communities of Palisades and Malibu will continue to struggle and may never fully recover.
