The wildfires still burning in Southern California have destroyed thousands of homes. A freshman state lawmaker, whose district includes one of the epicenters of the blazes, aims to rebuild those communities faster. How? Through a task force and coordinator to work with local, state and federal authorities.
It’s an idea that looks to Texas as an example.
As CalMatters’ Sameea Kamal explains, Assemblymember John Harabedian has introduced legislation that would assemble representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the governor’s Office of Emergency Services, the state housing department and local governments to respond to the dire housing needs caused by the Los Angeles County fires.
The Pasadena Democrat’s proposal, which could receive its first committee hearing by mid-February, is modeled after a Texas law: In 2019, two years after Hurricane Harvey, the state created a task force to address displaced residents. The hurricane caused more than $125 billion in damages; in comparison, some experts estimate the L.A. County fires will cost at least $250 billion.
- Harabedian, to CalMatters: “I think that government agencies generally don’t do a good job of talking to each other. There isn’t a ton of coordination on these types of things, because natural disasters, thankfully, don’t happen all that often.”
More on California wildfires: Between 1990 and 2020, nearly 45% of homes built in California were in “wildland-urban interface” areas where residential buildings are nestled right next to the state’s forests and scrublands. Totaling 7 million acres across all 58 counties, these areas make up less than 7% of all California land. But more than 80% of all structures destroyed by a wildfire between 1985 and 2013 were in these zones.
The L.A.-area fires also engulfed neighborhoods in some of these areas, and a CalMatters analysis found that as of 2020, nearly 1 in 3 Californians (or 14 million) lived in these zones. To see whether you live in one, check out our interactive by CalMatters’ Jeremia Kimelman.
Wildfire newsletter: CalMatters is teaming up with PBS SoCal, LAist and KCRW to offer a free newsletter that delivers new and accurate information about the Southern California fires. Read an edition and subscribe.
How will Trump’s second presidency affect your corner of California? CalMatters is working with public radio partners to gather perspectives across the state. Share your thoughts here.
Other Stories You Should Know
Rebuilding schools after the Eaton Fire
Odyssey South Charter School in Altadena, which served kids from transitional kindergarten through eighth grade, was among at least a dozen schools destroyed in the L.A. County fires. After the Eaton Fire, it must begin its long journey toward rebuilding, writes CalMatters’ Carolyn Jones.
One of its prime concerns is locating a new space to hold classes. Though the staff has toured possible sites, finding something that accommodates 375 students is difficult, and the school is competing with at least five other schools looking for facilities. Like many charter schools, Odyssey also leases its campus from a school district and has no control over the district’s plans to rebuild the site.
- Bonnie Brimecombe, Odyssey principal: “We need to do it for the kids, because they can’t do it for themselves. … They need to know that beyond this awful thing they’re going through, we know them and we’re there for them.”
CA’s new divisive GOP lawmaker
Of California’s newest legislators this session, one freshman lawmaker that has stirred up controversy outside and within his own party is Republican Assemblymember Carl DeMaio of San Diego.
As CalMatters’ Ryan Sabalow and Jeremia explain, the conservative talk-radio host and former San Diego City council member won in November despite the California Republican party endorsing his GOP opponent. His 14-point victory was due in part to Reform California, his grassroots fundraising powerhouse. The organization raises so much money for him that it shields him from having to depend on the GOP, enabling him to criticize party members.
- DeMaio: Californians are relying on Republicans to be a “functioning, opposition party.” But “they’re not, they haven’t been, and it’s gotten worse and worse each year. They know how to surrender versus fight.”
Meanwhile, DeMaio’s Republican critics cite his self-promotion and his tendency to take credit for victories he played little part in as points of contention. They also allege he bends or breaks campaign finance rules, which DeMaio says is “baseless.”
And lastly: CA’s sanctuary law
President Donald Trump issued an executive order to deny federal funds to jurisdictions with sanctuary policies. The state’s sanctuary law, the California Values Act, remains just as controversial now as it did when it passed in 2017. But what exactly does it do? Find out in our latest explainer from CalMatters’ Ana B. Ibarra.
California Voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: The careers of prominent California politicians could be decisively defined by how they handle the Southern California wildfires and Trump’s administration.
CalMatters columnist Robert Greene: Trump’s ignorance and inaccurate rhetoric about California water policy could prove not only expensive for the state, but dangerous too.
Other things worth your time:
White House pauses all federal grants, sparking confusion // The Washington Post
CA bill would let insurers, policyholders sue Big Oil for climate disasters // San Francisco Chronicle
Rain pelts LA amid worries of mudslides; I-5 closed // Los Angeles Times
Expect LA fire recovery to bring fraud, abuse and more misfortune // The Orange County Register
As LA schools reopen, parents worry about wildfire ash // AP News
First outbreak of rare bird flu strain reported at CA poultry farm // The Guardian
Immigration inflated 2024 homeless numbers, including in CA // Los Angeles Times
How a Chinese AI startup is competing with Silicon Valley giants // The New York Times
LAUSD equips students with ‘red cards’ for encountering immigration agents // LAist
SF Mayor tiptoes around Trump as other SF leaders challenge executive orders // KQED