Los Angeles County

An industrial facility with a metal-sided warehouse is shown, featuring large exhaust stacks supported by cables. Refrigerated truck trailers are parked near loading docks, while a yellow forklift sits nearby. In the foreground, black flatbed trailers are lined up. To the right, a tall, aging conveyor structure extends upward, supported by a network of metal beams and ladders. Power lines crisscross the sky, and palm trees are visible in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Environment

‘We should be in crisis mode’: Toxic fumigant could be seeping into these communities

Long Beach residents near companies that use methyl bromide are angry that air quality officials didn’t notify them for years and haven’t assessed their health risks. Now officials say more facilities are operating in San Pedro and Compton.

By

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• March 21, 2025

A person walks alone across a cracked asphalt surface toward the charred remains of a burned-down structure. The debris is scattered, with only remnants of buildings and a green dumpster nearby. In the background, rugged mountains rise beneath a partly cloudy sky, with a few trees standing amid the destruction. The scene conveys a sense of loss and recovery.

Commentary

California leaders need to keep their promises to the schools affected by LA fires

More than 100 Pasadena teachers, many who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire, recently received layoff notices. A teacher reflects on promises by the state superintendent to ensure districts are "held harmless" after the fires.

By Manuel Rustin • March 19, 2025

A person wearing a navy blue jacket with an official city emblem gestures while speaking outdoors. Another person in a black jacket is focused on a phone, while a group of individuals stands behind them. A camera operator records the scene, and a large vehicle is partially visible on the right. Trees and high-rise buildings can be seen in the background.

Commentary

Erratic wildfire performance puts LA Mayor Karen Bass in a political hole

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' wildfire response includes some embarrassing troubles of her own making, including canning the city's fire chief.

By

Dan Walters

• February 28, 2025

An aerial view of a lot with several one-story white buildings surrounded by grass and a couple of tress.

Commentary

California wants LA County to close its juvenile hall. Why it can’t is a failure decades in the making

The roots of juvenile probation failures in the nation’s largest county run deep — far deeper than the elimination of California agencies or juvenile justice realignment.

By

Robert Greene

• February 27, 2025

An aerial view of rows of homes destroyed by Palisades Fire along the coast in Malibu. Cars are driving on the highway between two rows of destroyed houses.

Commentary

Will having ‘too many cooks’ complicate recovery from deadly Los Angeles fires?

The response to homelessness in California, which has suffered from a lack of clear responsibility with officials pointing fingers, offers a warning for Los Angeles fire recovery.

By

Dan Walters

• February 11, 2025

A law enforcement official stands in front of a lectern as a giant screen in the background shows a map of Los Angeles County at a community meeting. Other officials can be seen sitting nearby.

Commentary

The most meaningful reform LA County can make post-fires is to its sprawling government

Los Angeles County has 88 sub-county governments and more than 140 unincorporated areas. This maze of jurisdictional responsibility makes dealing with pressing regional challenges so much harder.

By Nils Gilman • February 4, 2025

Commentary

As the fire risk fluctuates, Los Angeles remains busy piecing lives back together

Resource centers in Los Angeles County are fielding thousands of questions from thousands of tragedies. They are resetting the foundations for individuals and families that seemed solid just two weeks ago and now seem unfathomably tenuous.

By

Jim Newton

• January 23, 2025

A woman walks down a street destroyed by a wildfire that burned down many homes in the area. A row of burned palm trees is in the background over a row of debris from burned-down homes and burned-out cars.

Commentary

Why is Karen Bass getting so much blame for the LA fires but county supervisors so little?

Being a county supervisor can be hard work in California, but in times of crisis, it’s a lot less uncomfortable than being a mayor. The dynamic is about to change for Los Angeles County.

By

Robert Greene

• January 21, 2025

A person wearing a blue face masks and sports jersey uses a hose to spray water on the flames of a house to prevent the fire fro spreading.

Commentary

Wealth will dictate LA fire recovery unless California learns from mistakes of past disasters

The Los Angeles-area fires reveal a harsh truth: Recovery isn’t the same for everyone. Wealthier communities will turn to private resources, while working-class neighborhoods in Altadena will face immense barriers to rebuilding and recovery.

By Tunua Thrash-Ntuk • January 17, 2025

A burned-out structure with scorched walls and an arched doorway stands amidst charred vegetation. Smoke lingers in the background, and a partially intact gate with the number '203' leads to the property. A few green trees and palm trees remain standing in the hazy, orange-lit landscape.

Commentary

As LA fires destroy homes, California’s housing crisis is about to get worse

Housing construction permits were already trending downward. Now the wildfires have taken away at least 10,000 occupied homes.

By

Dan Walters

• January 17, 2025