An independent commission, established by Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk in February, has delivered a comprehensive set of recommendations for the recovery and rebuilding process following the January 2025 Los Angeles fires. Over 40 scholars from UCLA contributed to shaping these guidelines, drawing on their expertise across various disciplines.
The Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire-Safe Recovery worked closely with UCLA over four months to develop a report focusing on climate-resilient rebuilding and fire preparedness. The commission’s findings include nearly 60 specific actions aimed at promoting long-term, equitable recovery efforts.
UCLA played a significant role not only in providing expert input but also in community engagement. The university facilitated events and meetings to gather insights from those affected by the fires, ensuring that the commission’s recommendations were informed by real-world experiences.
“The commission’s work is a terrific example of UCLA connecting with our wider community,” stated UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk. He emphasized the university’s commitment to using its resources to aid the city’s recovery efforts.
Darnell Hunt, UCLA’s executive vice chancellor and provost, highlighted the importance of engaging with community voices: “This kind of work is core to UCLA’s efforts to meaningfully impact the lives of Angelenos.”
Among its key proposals, the commission suggests establishing new governance structures like a Resilient Rebuilding Authority and a Los Angeles County Fire Control District. These entities would focus on financing fire-resistant rebuilding projects and enhancing fire resilience through initiatives like vegetated buffer zones.
Megan Mullin, faculty director of the Luskin Center for Innovation at UCLA, underscored the importance of basing decisions on solid evidence: “Our objective was to ensure the commission had access to the best available evidence across a range of policy issues.”
As implementation progresses, both the commission and UCLA plan to continue their research efforts to support equitable regional recovery. Matt Petersen, chair of the commission, stressed that rebuilding will require bold leadership: “These recommendations… provide a playbook for effective policy action.”
The initiative received support from both a grant by the California Community Foundation and in-kind contributions from UCLA.
For more details on these recommendations or further information about this collaborative effort between Los Angeles County and UCLA, visit the Sustainable LA Grand Challenge website.
