Department of Public Health Survey on Construction Hours

LA County is asking residents affected by the Eaton and Palisades Fires to complete a short survey to help shape recovery efforts and guide potential adjustments to construction hours to speed rebuilding while reducing disruption. Take the survey here.

EFSN: Edison Profits Soar as Fire Survivors Get Shortchanged; Share Your Comments

EFSN identifies Edison’s final compensation plan pays fire survivors less than PG&E paid the Camp Fire survivors while PG&E was bankrupt. Edison reported $832 million in third-quarter profits, up $316 million from last year, after receiving state approval for a $9.66 billion revenue plan, including an $880 million rate hike and $902 million in back pay. In short: Californians gave Edison a bailout, a raise, and back pay—yet survivors are still being shortchanged. Submit your comments on the SCE Proposal here.

Survey for Eaton & Palisades Fire Survivors Re Construction Hours

LA County Public Health is seeking input from residents affected by the Eaton and Palisades Fires on possible adjustments to construction hours to speed rebuilding while minimizing disruption. Share your experience in this short Recovery Hours Survey: lacounty.pw/rebuild

Participation Needed in the 50 Homes Health Study

LA Fire Health Study needs the community to participate in a critical study to understand the health impacts of the Eaton Fire. Harvard School of Public Health webinar with more information can be viewed here. A clinical coordinator will visit your home at your convenience to collect samples. Participation is voluntary, and your results will be shared privately. To participate or confirm your enrollment, contact Garrett Hah at 917-834-6392 or garrett@hahnyc.com

Department of Angels Releases New Recovery Report

Nine months after the Eaton and Palisades fires, a new Department of Angels report, Community Voices: L.A. Fire Recovery Report issued 10/15/25, reveals a deepening crisis for survivors. Based on surveys of 2,335 residents, it shows worsening conditions across housing, health, and financial stability.

Key Findings:

• Displacement: About 8 in 10 pre-fire residents of Altadena, 9 in 10 residents of Pacific Palisades, and nearly half of residents of Malibu, are currently unable to live in their homes.

• Insurance Hindering Recovery: Insurance experiences for residents have largely involved delays, denials, logistical hurdles, and difficulty continuing coverage into the future.

• Contamination Concern: 84% believe their home or property may be contaminated.

• Difficulty Testing: While the vast majority of residents of impacted areas believe their homes may have been contaminated, more than 1 in 3 who want it have not yet received it.

• Expiring Coverage: Over half of homeowners will lose housing coverage within a year; one in five within months and nearly one-third of renters were uninsured; most insured renters have exhausted their coverage.

Neighbors Main Source of Info: Neighbors are the top source of fire-related information for all people in impacted areas, like family, friends, and online communities. 

EFSN Releases Their Recommendations on Amendments to the SCE Proposal Draft

EFSN released their response to SCE’s draft proposal titled Fix What You Broke. The report echoes and expands on concerns in EFRU’s SCE Proposal Draft Omissions, concluding that the current SCE proposal fails to acknowledge contamination across the Eaton Fire impact area and warning that this omission would drive decades-long economic and public-health harms.

EFRU is grateful for EFSN’s partnership and steadfast advocacy before state leaders and in the media on behalf of the community’s recovery. Although there is mention in EFSN’s report for “A full residential soil plan includes site visits, multi-point composite sampling, laboratory analysis”, what is still missing is the need for systematic oversight and follow-up clearance testing of soils and standing homes during rebuilds to maintain clearance—especially where residual contamination could re-contaminate adjacent properties. An organized, comprehensive program providing continual testing and remediation of all property, inside and out, including residences, school campuses, parks, businesses, and all public spaces throughout the rebuild should be financed by SCE and from the $21 billion fund for utility caused disasters. This program should be run by a contracted company or independent commission financed by the $21 billion fund to orchestrate a community wide approach so that there is a concerted effort to maintain standing homes and soil reach and maintain clearance from hazardous contaminants.

You can review the current SCE Proposal Draft here.

EFRU: SCE Proposal Draft Omissions Outline

EFRU is releasing an outline of omissions in SCE’s recent proposal draft. Review it to understand what is excluded from the settlement so you don’t unknowingly accept an offer that leaves contamination damage to your property unrecovered or limits your ability to pursue compensation for future health impacts from exposure.
Read more here.

Applications Open for Altadena Town Council

Deadline 10/17, 2025 at 5PM
The Altadena Town Council (ATC) is looking for dedicated residents to step up and represent their census tracts in the November 2025 election. 

• Be a voice for your neighbors

• Stay informed on local issues and County services

• Help shape the future of Altadena

• How to apply:
  Apply online or by mail/in person:

• Visit the website or go in person/mail to 730 E. Altadena Dr., Altadena, CA 91001

• Submit your application + $35 fee (check, money order, or Zelle). 

• Include a one-page Statement of Qualifications. Attn: Isis Moulden, Election Committee Chair; Candidate statements will be published in the official booklet and online.

Address Omissions in the SCE Proposal

SCE has proposed a direct compensation program for Eaton Fire survivors that offers large payouts to avoid lengthy litigation, though attorneys caution such programs often pay less than lawsuits. Compensation includes up to $900,000 to rebuild a destroyed 1,500-sq-ft home, $200,000 for settling directly with Edison, and additional funds for pain and suffering; families of deceased victims could receive up to $1.5 million for noneconomic damages, $500,000 per dependent, and a $5 million direct-settlement bonus.

However, for surviving homes eligibility is limited: the draft program covers only visible structural damage (measurable physical harm like staining or corrosion) inside the fire perimeter, excluding homes with lingering smoke, soot, or toxin contamination that lacks visible physical damage. Properties outside the DINs map and soil remediation needs are also left out, potentially excluding many standing homes.

EFSN has drafted a set of community demands in response to Edison’s compensation proposal, with EFRU contributing what they see as critical omissions affecting standing homes. You are encouraged to submit your concerns about this SCE Proposal. You can share your thoughts by adding comments directly in the document or by completing the short questionnaire inside—whichever is easiest for you. 

See the full SCE Proposal here.
Read and add your comment to the draft of Community Demands here.
You can also add your SCE Proposal concerns to this form.

How Assemblymember Harabedian Can Support You in Filing a CDI Complaint

EFSN reports Assemblymember John Harabedian and his team want to help residents track cases with the California Department of Insurance (CDI).
First, file your CDI complaint here.
Then, complete Harabedian's form here.

Consumer Watchdog Insurance Policyholder Bill of Rights

The leaders of Consumer Watchdog have filed a ballot measure guaranteeing insurance coverage to homeowners who meet wildfire mitigation standards set by the state. The “Insurance Policyholder Bill of Rights” also prevents companies from engaging in the “use it and lose it” practice of denying coverage to policyholders who file claims, and extends a host of other new consumer rights. Follow the development of this ballot measure here.

Join the UCLA Wildfire Research Registry

The 2025 Los Angeles wildfires left lasting impacts on our communities and health. By joining the UCLA Wildfire Research Registry, you can help doctors and researchers understand those effects. Members may be invited to participate in studies, though participation is always voluntary. More information here in English and in Spanish.

EFSN wants to hear your insurance story

Help be a part of insurance reform and share your insurance struggle with EFSN. Insurance is counting on us being uninformed and alone. Together we can make a difference. Email your insurance story to hello@efsurvivors.net. Join the EFSN newsletter here: https://www.efsurvivors.net/newsletter

Last chance to take Insurance and Recovery Survey

Please take a moment to complete the 6-month insurance and recovery survey. The survey tracks progress and challenges, helping nonprofits, local partners, and UP support the community during long-term wildfire recovery. It may be taken anonymously, or participants can enter an email for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card. Information will not be shared. One response per household, please. Take the survey at www.uphelp.org/survey

UCLA Wildfire Evacuation Survey

UCLA is collecting first-hand accounts of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfire evacuations, with a short (≈15-minute) survey focused on transportation challenges—what worked, what didn’t, and what would have helped. Findings will be shared with policymakers and emergency/transportation officials to improve real-world, equitable evacuation planning. Take the survey here. Questions can be directed to Professor Evelyn Blumenberg at eblumenb@g.ucla.edu

Help Shape Your Community’s Future with Your Input

The CA Office of Data and Innovation is collecting answers from Eaton & Palisades areas to find out what residents are most concerned about. Learn how to join the conversation so that you can share your input with the State of CA and shape the recovery in the Eaton area: https://engaged.ca.gov/about

Petition Requesting Comprehensive Testing and Remediation at AAM Elementary

Altadena Arts Magnet families are circulating a petition urging PUSD to match LAUSD’s more thorough wildfire response. While LAUSD conducted full indoor testing, PUSD only performed limited debris testing, with no follow-up for contaminants like lead, asbestos, and heavy metals. The petition calls for comprehensive indoor testing and removal of soft goods that trap toxins—steps PUSD has yet to take at any school site. Sign on here to support a safer, fully remediated learning environment.

Add Your Name to the Soil Remediation Advocacy Letter

Despite the deadline date listed on this sign-on letter, signatures are still being accepted.
Led by the Eaton Fire Collaborative’s Advocacy Working Group, a sign-on letter is calling on the County Board of Supervisors to support fire survivors. Of the $2.5 billion allocated to LA County for fire recovery, the letter requests that a portion be directed toward land remediation and health costs caused by ongoing contamination. Go here to review and sign on in support of the letter.

Recovery Poll

The Department of Angels, an advocacy group focused on the LA Fire recovery, has released its June survey of 2,000 Eaton and Palisades Fire survivors. Key highlights from the findings include:

• Six Months Later: 7 in 10 Survivors Still Not Home 

• Renters face greater risks of long-term displacement and exclusion from recovery support. 

• Only 1 in 4 of those who suffered severe damage or loss of their property have had their claims fully approved and these breakdowns are forcing people to sell.

• 84% believe their home or land is contaminated by fire residue, but only 37% report any testing, mostly done privately and at personal cost. 95% of survivors support a coordinated, government-led testing and cleanup effort. 

• Survivors turn first to neighbors (73%), friends and family (57%), social media (39%), private chats (36%), and trusted local figures like block captains (21%) and faith leaders (19%) for useful, timely recovery information.

To learn more, see the Department of Angels poll results here. 

AfterFireStories Survey

Share your experience of emotional recovery after a fire by taking LMU’s 5–10 minute anonymous survey at www.afterfirestories.com.  Your reflections and photos will help inform mental health resources and highlight the true impact of fire disasters. LMU is especially seeking participation from African American and Hispanic/Latino residents to ensure the survey accurately represents the diversity of the community.