Wildfires

To avoid repeating last year’s urban blaze, we should fund fire-safe homes and neighborhoods, but politicians often are paying to thin out forests far from urban settings.

Insurers sell auto insurance and other profitable products in California but choose to walk away from homeowners insurance when risk rises.

The state’s law requiring fair treatment by insurers has largely been unenforced. Fire victims are left with delays, gaslighting and denials.

Insurance rates will reflect climate change and consumers’ interests. Insurers will see faster, more efficient reviews and scrutiny of excessive rates.

Property loss in Black and Brown communities hasn't been accidental. It comes from redlining, racial covenants, gentrification, discriminatory lending, insurance practices and now disaster recovery practices.

Insurers in California pulled back coverage or left the state after years of over-regulation, price controls and poor wildfire prevention.

Mayor Karen Bass' challenge is to persuade voters she has command over the city's recovery process, despite the early struggles during the fire. 

Legislators passed a law making insurers pay more upfront for the loss of personal property, rather than force disaster victims to itemize possessions. But more can be done.

Ash rained down and smoke blanketed Los Angeles during the 2025 wildfires, leaving behind a toxic legacy in soil and homes. Without a federal or California mandate, nonprofit, academic and local groups offer testing for homeowners.

Most people who lost homes to the LA-area wildfires haven’t broken ground or found new homes. State and local officials are part of the delay.