How Will Los Angeles Recover from the Fires? 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has suspended some environmental regulations and extended price gouging protections to promote business and home rebuilding in California following the fires. 

The Details: The recent Los Angeles fires are on track to be the most expensive in the nation's history, and the Santa Ana winds are expected to return to LA this week, potentially fueling them more. More than 12,000 homes, businesses, and schools have already burned. There have also been some reports of arson and looting. The flames are threatening some venues built for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The exact cause of the fires remains unknown. 

Rebuilding: California has been one of the most difficult and costly places to build housing due to its environmental review process, which Newsom has suspended for those whose property was destroyed in the fires. C.E.Q.A. is one environmental law that requires “developers to fund in-depth environmental studies on a project’s potential impact on everything from local wildlife to noise, views and traffic.” C.E.Q.A was suspended after disasters in the past, but typically required proof the builders tried to comply with the law—not this time. Newsom's order fully waived the requirements to expedite rebuilding. Mayor Karen Bass said she would be releasing more policies to help with the rebuilding process.