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One Year After Palisades and Eaton Fires, Grief Turns to Demands for Action

The anniversary became a public reckoning over slow aid, opaque decisions, unmet needs.

Overview

  • Communities in Pacific Palisades and Altadena marked the date with memorials and large rallies where survivors pressed utilities, insurers and officials for housing support and transparency.
  • Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered flags at government buildings lowered to half-staff and issued a proclamation pledging continued state support for recovery.
  • Official dashboards show thousands of permit applications but far fewer permits issued, with hundreds of homes under construction and only a handful completed one year on.
  • A Department of Angels report says roughly 70% of survivors remain displaced, with many draining savings or taking on debt as insurance coverage disputes continue.
  • Legal accountability efforts continue as the Justice Department sues Southern California Edison over alleged maintenance failures tied to the Eaton fire, while some residents call the utility’s settlement offers inadequate.