How will Los Angeles change after the fires?

The administration of Los Angeles has begun to grapple with the consequences of the wildfires that hit the city in January 2025. The reconstruction phase will be long, costly, and anything but simple: the flames have devastated over 150 square kilometers of land, burning more than 5,000 homes along with numerous infrastructures. The fires also affected and damaged many public buildings, including hospitals and energy facilities. «All of Los Angeles, regardless of social class, is united in a feeling of deep and traumatic loss. Schools, cultural institutions, and businesses that make people feel at home have burned», reads an article from The Atlantic. It is estimated that the total damages amount to approximately 40 billion dollars. According to statements by Joe Biden, the reconstruction costs would have been entirely covered by the White House, but it is not certain whether Trump will confirm what the former U.S. president promised—especially considering that California has historically been a Democratic-majority state.

It will likely take many years for Los Angeles to return to how it was before. Just removing the massive amounts of debris could take at least 12 months. After that, once the affected areas are secured, the detailed planning of the reconstruction phase can begin. California authorities have already taken measures to speed up numerous bureaucratic procedures, which could have otherwise prolonged the work even further. Another aspect to consider is the process of distributing reimbursements: insurance companies may struggle to handle the high number of claims, significantly affecting the reconstruction timeline. Additionally, the local construction companies could face an overwhelming workload due to the sheer volume of necessary interventions. The same issue applies to the supply of materials, many of which are imported from China and Canada—Trump's tariffs could make their procurement more difficult, driving up prices.

Many architecture and urban planning experts argue that this is an opportunity to rethink entire neighborhoods of Los Angeles. For example, it has been suggested that multifamily housing complexes be relocated to districts farther from wooded areas—making them potentially safer from wildfire risks. Other areas, however, should be left entirely or almost entirely without buildings so that they can serve as natural barriers against the possible spread of fires. However, this is a highly complex plan to implement, both financially and legally, as it would require expropriations. For this reason, it is possible that the affected neighborhoods will be rebuilt almost exactly as they were before, but with homes designed to be more fire-resistant—through specific precautions and the use of fireproof materials. The reconstruction debate does not concern only houses and city districts: for example, Los Angeles' iconic palm trees, as well as junipers and eucalyptus trees (which are also very common), should be replaced with fire-resistant species due to their high flammability.

Additionally, the wildfires have exacerbated the housing crisis that has long affected the city. The housing emergency is a major issue in Los Angeles, and the recent events have only increased the demand for housing due to the numerous displaced families, causing a rise in rental costs. «Residents […] know that compensation will cover only a small portion of the homes' value and reconstruction costs», writes The Atlantic. «Will teachers still be able to afford to live there? And firefighters? Where will all these people go in a region that is already suffering from a shortage of affordable housing? […] The cost of living in Los Angeles was already prohibitive before the disaster. How many families will be able not only to survive but also to rebuild their lives?»