Investigations ongoing into LADWP role in Palisades Fire

A power line operated by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) was active when the Palisades Fire began in January 2025, but authorities have not found evidence linking the utility’s equipment to the blaze according to new reports.

As reported by Reuters, the fire, which started on 7 January, has become one of the most destructive wildfires in recent US history.

The transmission line near the hills where the fire began has drawn attention due to a complaint filed last week alleging it contributed to subsequent spot fires.

The complaint states that the LADWP system may have sparked additional fires at around 10:30pm  on the same day, nearly 12 hours after the initial blaze.

LADWP said it had manually shut off the power line at 2:30pm, prior to the alleged spot fires.

Federal authorities have not linked LADWP to fire ignition

The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is leading the investigation into the fire’s cause.

LADWP spokesperson Ellen Cheng said there is no indication that its facilities were responsible.

Cheng said: “Neither the ATF nor any other investigating authority has indicated that LADWP facilities were involved in the ignition of the Palisades Fire.”

She added: “The ATF examined LADWP’s overhead facilities in the area and did not ask LADWP to preserve any of them.”

LADWP is also facing legal challenges related to how it managed water supplies during firefighting efforts.

These lawsuits are ongoing.

Multiple wildfires began within hours on 7 January

The Palisades Fire was one of several fires that broke out on 7 January across Southern California.

These included the Eaton Fire, for which Southern California Edison is facing lawsuits over claims its equipment caused the blaze.

Reuters reported that the fires evolved into the largest group of wildfires in recent state history, with major damage reported in areas such as Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Altadena.

Investigations into the origin and contributing factors behind these fires are continuing.

Academics release Project Recovery to support fire-hit areas

As reported by the LA Times, a new 172-page report titled “Project Recovery” has been published to assist with rebuilding efforts in Los Angeles County following the January wildfires.

The report was produced by academics from the University of Southern California and University of California Los Angeles, along with the Urban Land Institute’s Los Angeles chapter.

It identifies issues and offers strategic solutions to speed up recovery.

Lew Horne, who chaired the project, said: “We want to make sure that we’re moving as quickly as possible to try to get people back into their homes.”

Report proposes changes to construction approvals and permitting

The authors recommend simplifying the construction permitting process through a self-certification system.

Under this approach, qualified professionals would certify building plans as compliant, allowing applications to proceed faster.

The report also advises consolidating departmental reviews under a single project permit coordinator to avoid delays caused by sequential checks from separate city departments.

Horne said the process could be reduced: “We think that you could take a one-year entitlement program and knock it down to 30 days.”

Call for standardised debris removal and soil clearance checks

Project Recovery identifies inconsistencies in how debris is being removed.

According to the report, different standards are being applied depending on whether contractors are hired privately or through the Army Corps of Engineers.

The authors recommend a uniform debris removal protocol.

They also propose linking a certificate of soil clearance to the building permit file for each site as a record that environmental standards have been met.

These measures are intended to ensure both safety and administrative transparency during rebuilding.

Proposal for on-site logistics centres in fire zones

To manage rebuilding demands, the report suggests establishing on-site logistics centres in wildfire-affected areas.

These hubs would coordinate permit processing, workforce accommodation and material delivery.

Each centre would be capable of managing up to 2,000 residences and support construction teams of up to 40,000 workers.

The centres would also include offices for inspection teams and tools for scheduling site visits.

Infrastructure and utility restoration would be coordinated through the same centres to support efficient reconstruction.

Recommendations to stabilise property insurance in fire-prone areas

The report addresses the insurance challenges faced by homeowners who lost property in the fires.

Economist Stuart Gabriel from UCLA said: “These wildfire disasters are a very thick coat of icing on an insurance crisis cake.”

Among the recommendations: insurers should consider home hardening measures and fire mitigation when setting premiums.

The report also calls for a public-private reinsurance scheme to support the availability of coverage in high-risk areas.

Additional proposals include factoring in forest management practices during underwriting and expanding funding for controlled burns and fuel reduction.

Community-led rebuilding and coordination proposed

The report suggests creating local rebuilding authorities with independent oversight but operational control.

These bodies would coordinate planning, inspections and financial support.

A financial aid fund is recommended to help property owners close gaps in reconstruction costs.

A proposed consortium of builders would offer complete rebuild solutions to residents who prefer not to manage the process themselves.

USC economist Richard Green said community input is essential: “If they feel like it’s being imposed upon them, that would not go anywhere.”

LA wildfires: LADWP equipment under investigation as Project Recovery proposes rebuild strategy: Summary

A power line owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was operational when the Palisades Fire began on 7 January.

A new complaint claims it contributed to secondary fires.

LADWP said the line was shut down before those fires started.

Federal investigators have not linked LADWP’s infrastructure to the blaze.

LADWP also faces legal action over water management during firefighting.

Southern California Edison is being sued in connection with the Eaton Fire.

A new report titled “Project Recovery” has been released by academics and urban planning experts.

It includes recommendations for rebuilding Los Angeles County neighbourhoods affected by the January wildfires.

Suggestions include permit self-certification, on-site logistics centres, and standardised debris removal protocols.

The report calls for stabilisation of the insurance market and the creation of local rebuilding authorities.

The findings have been submitted to city and county staff.