One Year After Wildfires, Most L.A. Homes Still Not Rebuilt

One year after deadly wildfires swept through Los Angeles, the majority of destroyed homes and businesses remain in ruins. Official data reveals a major bottleneck: city authorities have approved fewer than half of all rebuilding applications. The fires killed at least 31 people and leveled thousands of structures. For many survivors, the recovery process has been stalled by a slow permit approval system. Without these permits, reconstruction cannot legally begin. The city has not provided a reason for the low approval rate. The delay leaves hundreds of families unable to return home, prolonging the disaster's impact on the community.