It's the first anniversary of the L.A. wildfires. Why have less than a dozen homes been rebuilt since then?

"On the first anniversary of the most destructive wildfires in the L.A. area, the scant home construction projects stand out among the still mostly flattened landscapes. Fewer than a dozen homes have been rebuilt in Los Angeles County since Jan. 7, 2025, when the Palisades and Eaton fires erupted, killing 31 people and destroying about 13,000 homes and other residential properties. For those who had insurance, it's often not enough to cover the costs of construction."

"Among the exceptions is Ted Koerner, whose Altadena home was reduced to ash and two chimneys. With his insurance payout tied up, the 67-year-old liquidated about 80% of his retirement holdings, secured contractors quickly, and moved decisively through the rebuilding process. Shortly before Thanksgiving, Koerner was among the first to finish a rebuild in the aftermath of the fires, which were fueled by drought and hurricane-force winds."

"The streets of the coastal community of Pacific Palisades and Altadena, a community in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, remain lined with dirt lots. In the seaside city of Malibu, foundations and concrete piles rising out of the sand are all that's left of beachfront homes that once butted against crashing ocean waves. Neighborhoods are pitch black at night, with few streetlamps replaced. Even many homes that survived are not inhabited as families struggle to clear them of the fire's toxic contaminants."

The Palisades and Eaton fires erupted on Jan. 7, 2025, killing 31 people and destroying about 13,000 homes and other residential properties. Fewer than a dozen homes have been rebuilt in Los Angeles County since the fires. Insurance payouts are often insufficient or delayed, prompting many homeowners to stall rebuilding. Relief organizations are providing assistance, but progress remains slow. Landscapes in Pacific Palisades, Altadena and Malibu remain largely flattened, with dirt lots, exposed foundations and few replaced streetlamps. Many surviving homes remain uninhabited as families work to clear toxic fire contaminants. Some homeowners who could access funds rebuilt more quickly.

Read at Fast Company