Active
Recovery and Rebuilding After Historic 91直播Fires
Uniting communities to begin L.A.鈥檚 recovery from historic wildfires.
Active
The Conservancy is working with local partners to support recovery efforts that honor L.A.鈥檚 history, culture, and sense of place after the devastating wildfires in January 2025.
Overview
On January 7, 2025, a series of wildfires broke out across Los Angeles County, exacerbated by severe Santa Ana winds, drought conditions, and the buildup of vegetation from the previous winter. The most devastating among these were the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades and the Eaton Fire in Altadena. These fires collectively destroyed over 18,000 structures, including homes, schools, and businesses, and led to the evacuation of more than 200,000 residents. The fires resulted in at least 30 fatalities and caused an estimated $52.5 billion in damages.
The fires, which burned over 50,000 acres and destroyed more than 16,000 structures, inflicted a severe toll on the region鈥檚 cultural heritage. Among the historic sites lost are the Will Rogers Ranch House, a 31-room property listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, a long-standing religious and cultural landmark in the region.
The 91直播Conservancy jumped into action and began collaborating with local partners to aid in recovery efforts that honor and preserve the communities’ histories, culture, and sense of place.
Our Position
Los Angeles has always been defined by its rich and layered history, making it vital to safeguard the city鈥檚 diverse heritage after the devastation of the fires.聽As early as March 2025, the Conservancy launched a coordinated effort with World Monuments Fund to document and assess heritage sites affected by the devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles County in January. This work represents a critical step towards ensuring that historic and cultural landmarks are recognized and considered in the county鈥檚 long-term recovery and reconstruction efforts. The project resulted in Palisades and Eaton Fire Impact Maps.
Five months after the fires, the Conservancy was selected for the WPA-Inspired 鈥淎rtists at Work鈥 Program (AAW). This groundbreaking national initiative places artists in salaried positions within community-focused organizations, spotlighting the transformative role of the arts in social and civic life. In Los Angeles, AAW partnered with the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture to facilitate a program with the theme of recovery and resilience following the devastating 2025 wildfires. Altadena resident and artist Alma Cielo embarked on an 18-month collaboration in Altadena, celebrating resilience and cultural heritage in the wake of the fires.
Also, in June 2025, the Getty Foundation awarded $420,000 to the Conservancy to lead a community-driven historic resources survey and Cultural Asset Mapping project designed to inform the rebuilding of Altadena.
Wildfire Support Resources
The 91直播Conservancy enlisted a network of professionals and service providers with expertise in working with older and historic places who may offer discounted rates or pro bono services for those impacted by the wildfires, depending on the services provided.
Interested in being added to this list? to submit an interest form.
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The Los Angeles Conservancy makes no claims or endorsements of businesses offering any products or services listed in this directory.
- All professionals on this list requested to be added and consented to having their informtion published.
- As with any business transaction, remember, it is 鈥渂uyer beware.鈥 Be sure to ask for鈥攁nd verify鈥攔eferences. Protect your investment: ask for verification that businesses have the appropriate licenses and insurance coverage.
- Many cities in the county designate certain historic buildings and regulate alterations to them (for example, Los Angeles has both individual Historic-Cultural Monuments and buildings within Historic Preservation Overlay Zones). Before altering a designated structure, be sure to obtain proper permits and sign-offs from responsible city agencies (such as the City Planning Department, Department of Building and Safety, and/or the Department of Housing). If you have questions about how to do this, please contact the Conservancy at (213) 623-2489 or info@laconservancy.org.
- Be skeptical of recommendations that insist upon replacing historic elements without considering restoration. While sometimes this is necessary, restoration of historic features is always preferred and often can cost less than replacement.
The Conservancy is actively gathering resources to share with property owners. Check back often, as this page will be updated continuously.
The Los Angeles County Assessor鈥檚 Office is committed to supporting property owners during this difficult time. While they await a comprehensive assessment of the damage, they are preparing to activate resources to assist affected residents, including:
- On-the-Ground Support: Assessor staff will be present at Local Assistance Centers established by the County, offering guidance and resources to property owners.
- Expedited Property Tax Relief: The County will process 鈥淢isfortune and Calamity鈥 claims for property tax relief for properties damaged or destroyed by the wildfires.
鈥淢isfortune and Calamity鈥 Property Tax Relief
Property damaged or destroyed by the windstorms or wildfires may qualify for temporary property tax relief through the Misfortune and Calamity program. Key details include:
- Eligibility: The damage must exceed $10,000 in the current market value of the property.
- Filing Deadline: Claims must be filed within 12 months of the date of the damage.
- Benefits: Approved claims may result in temporary property tax relief, with adjustments made to reflect the reduced value of your property until repairs or rebuilding are completed.
For more information and to download the claim form (ADS-820) go to or call (213) 974-8658.
The City of Los Angeles has compiled a list of verified general contractors, architects and landscape architects who are ready to assist in rebuilding homes, public spaces, and businesses.聽聽
Local, state, and federal agencies are preparing business assistance resources for those affected by the wildfires. Below are a few helpful resources currently available.
*Funding opportunities*
- The grant program, supported by American Express, is now accepting applications for a round of Disaster Recovery grants for eligible locally significant small聽businesses impacted by recent natural disasters. From Wednesday, May 7 at 9 a.m. CT through Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT,听businesses affected by FEMA-declared disasters on or after January 1, 2024, can apply for one of 100 available $10,000 grants to assist in their recovery efforts.
- The 聽is designed to support qualified small聽businesses impacted by the catastrophic Los Angeles County wildfires beginning January 7, 2025, throughout the Eaton and Palisades Wildfire Disaster Impact & Evacuation Area. Application period opens on May 07, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. PT* and closes on June 06, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. PT*
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The was created in response to Federal Declaration on January 7, 2025. These loans aim to provide working capital to聽businesses that create or retain jobs and offer goods or services to local residents. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Up to $75,000. Applications will be accepted between Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 12:00 p.m., and Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 12:00 p.m.
Additional resources:
- is a free exchange portal designed to provide immediate relief to businesses, including non-profits, displaced by the winds and wildfires by connecting them to donated temporary space generously provided by other businesses and organizations throughout LA County. This service is provided for a limited time by the County of Los Angeles.
- The City of Los Angeles’s has gathered local, state, and federal resources available for businesses and workers impacted by the Los Angeles City Wildfires.
- Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity’s
- Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation’s
- Together for L.A.’s
- disaster loans may be available to homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes in areas covered by a disaster declaration. Applicants may talk with an SBA representative at a Local Assistance Center from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily (Pasadena City College Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107 or UCLA Research Park West, 10850 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064). You may also call the SBA鈥檚 Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Oct. 8, 2025.
- Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network’s – a guide for small business owners responding to major disasters, such as fires and earthquakes.
World Monuments Fund and Los Angeles Conservancy Join Forces to Support Recovery Following Wildfires, WMF, March 19, 2025
, The Economist, January 16, 2025
, New York Times, January 15, 2025
, Los Angeles Times, January 12, 2025
, Los Angeles Times, January 11, 2025
Dezeen, January 10, 2025
NBC Los Angeles, January 10, 2025.
, Smithsonian Magazine, January 9, 2025
, Fast Company, January 9, 2025.
New York Times, January 9, 2025
, Archinect, January 8, 2025.
, Elle Decor, January 8, 2025.
January 8, 2025
There are no words to describe the devastation we are experiencing in Los Angeles. During this truly historic disaster, our hearts go out to the many Angelenos whose lives have been upended by the raging wildfires across the county. The loss of their homes, schools, cultural anchors, legacy businesses, and other places important to their communities is overwhelming.
And, still, the windstorms, wildfires, and threats to lives and structures continue.
The Los Angeles Conservancy has received many inquiries about the historic places the fires impacted. Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of details yet, as the winds and fires remain highly unpredictable. Please see our list of confirmed losses below.
We are mobilizing to provide resources and support to those impacted by the wildfires, including coordinating efforts with local agencies and historic preservation professionals ready to survey the conditions and damage to historic places and assembling a network of professionals, businesses, and others prepared to support the preservation and rehabilitation of historic resources in impacted communities.
While the full extent of the destruction to historic places caused by these fires is yet to be seen, we are reminded of how important it is to be there for one another as a community. It reminds us all what places and spaces mean to us, especially once they are gone. Significantly, we recognize that the focus should remain on immediate wildfire relief and then long-term recovery.
We hope you remain safe and look forward to keeping you updated.