100 Days After Palisades Fire: Progress Made, Pain Remains

One hundred days after the devastating Palisades Fire tore through parts of Los Angeles, local and state officials gathered to deliver a status report on the recovery—and to acknowledge the lasting pain still felt by many residents.

The fire, which began on January 7, destroyed more than 6,800 homes, businesses, and buildings, and claimed 12 lives. While officials are proud of the pace of recovery so far, they made it clear: the work is far from done.

“We are not here to celebrate progress,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, “but to acknowledge the pain and recognize the work still ahead.”

Speaking alongside City Councilmember Traci Park at the Palisades Library, Mayor Bass highlighted how quickly recovery efforts have moved compared to past California wildfires. The first rebuilding permits were issued just 57 days after the fire, faster than the 123 days it took after the Camp Fire, and well ahead of the 230 days after the Woolsey Fire.

One remarkable milestone: the Army Corps of Engineers cleared the Palisades Library lot in just six days, a task that was expected to take a full month.

“These aren’t just lots. These weren’t just houses,” said Bass. “This is the heart of the community.”

So far, the city has issued 19 rebuilding permits, and some construction is already underway. But that’s just a small fraction of the thousands of homes that must be rebuilt.

For many, the recovery hasn’t even begun.

John Brown, a resident of the Palisades Bowl Mobile Home Park, says he and his neighbors are still facing serious obstacles. Due to regulatory complications and landlord restrictions, residents haven’t been able to return to the property—let alone plan for rebuilding.

“We still don’t know whether that future exists again for us,” Brown said. “We don’t know if we’ll ever be able to get back in there.”

While city officials continue to push forward with recovery efforts, the road to full restoration—for homes, businesses, and lives—will take far longer than 100 days.

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