More Than $300 Million in Additional Fire Recovery Funding Released

Recent coverage reported that more than $300 million in additional state wildfire recovery funding is being directed to Los Angeles City and County for firefighting, debris removal, infrastructure restoration, hazard mitigation, parks restoration, and other government-led recovery work. While these investments are important, survivors remain concerned that much of the state’s $2.5 billion emergency fire fund has not directly reached affected residents.

The Eaton Fire area continues to face serious soil-contamination concerns. Total-loss survivors need access to science-based testing and clearance before rebuilding so they do not contaminate new building materials, endanger construction workers, or resuspend contaminated soil onto neighboring properties. Government support is needed to help residents obtain the testing, remediation, and clearance required to rebuild safely. Standing-home survivors who cannot afford testing or remediation also need public support to reach safe clearance from contamination caused by the Eaton and Palisades fires. Recovery funding should include direct assistance for the households still carrying these health, safety, and rebuilding burdens. For residents to have a meaningful and safe recovery, the $300 million needs to be allocated to help residents return home safely or our community will face the long term disaster of contamination and health impacts.
Action: Continue pressing public officials for recovery funding that reaches impacted households, standing homes, renters, small businesses, and contaminated communities.
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