LOS ANGELES — The devastating Palisades and Eaton fires exposed a stark reality: rebuilding in the age of climate change demands a new approach.
Recognizing this, LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath convened the Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire Safe Recovery.
“When we bring the best and brightest and diverse expertise to the table, and task them with efficiently getting us recommendations on what a climate resilient and fire safe rebuild needs to look like, that was really the charge of this commission,” said Horvath.
This independent, volunteer-based commission brings together 18 top experts in climate-resilient development, partnering with UCLA for crucial research.
Matt Petersen, commission chair and LA Cleantech Incubator CEO, says their initial recommendations and draft action plans are now in the hands of policymakers.
“Of course using fire-resistant materials is going to be core to our recommendations, and that we’re recommending to local governments and the state government how to make that mandatory. And then if folks want to rebuild a more resilient, climate-friendly home, how do they do that? And all-electric homes are one way to do that,” said Petersen.
To ensure a robust recovery, the commission established six working groups addressing critical areas like energy, building codes, land-use and water.
Tracy Quinn, commissioner and Heal the Bay CEO, is co-chair of the water working group that’s recommended improving water infrastructure, as the fires highlighted the region’s vulnerability to unprecedented climate-driven wildfires.
“We are in triage right now. We are trying to come up with what to do because there are no protocols. We’re collecting data, there’s no baseline to compare it to, there are no public health risk thresholds for the data that we’re finding,” said Quinn.
The initial recommendations, available on the commission’s website, offer immediate opportunities for policymakers.
While speed is crucial, Horvath emphasizes the need for thoughtful action as the Commission refines its final recommendations due in June.
“Speed is certainly a critical component, but if all we do is rebuild what was there, we’re setting ourselves up to repeat this disaster at some point in the future,” said Horvath.
Faced with a range of escalating climate threats — from fire to flood, drought to extreme heat — the work of the Blue Ribbon Commission offers a vital roadmap to rebuilding communities into a more resilient future for all of LA County.
