After the Fires: Latest Updates as the Rebuilding Efforts Continue
A Renewed Commitment to REBU
The recent fires that swept through Los Angeles and Malibu Counties have left behind devastating loss—along with a renewed sense of purpose. At Burdge Architects, we’re proud to reintroduce REBU, our post-fire rebuild program, with fresh momentum. Drawing from the lessons of past wildfires, including the Woolsey Fire, we've refined our approach to designing fire-resistant homes that don't sacrifice beauty or functionality. Our goal is clear: build smarter, safer, and more resilient homes that protect families from future disasters.
Where Recovery Stands Now
Right now, many homeowners are still in the early stages—re-entering their properties, digging through debris, and beginning the long process of recovery. According to the State of California, cleanup is progressing rapidly: over 475 crews are working around the clock to clear ash, soot, and damaged structures from the Eaton and Palisades fire zones. So far, 1,300 parcels have been cleared and 507 returned to the county by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Homeowners have until April 15th (the deadline has been extended) to submit their Right-of-Entry (ROE) form for no-cost debris removal. Meanwhile, the Contractor State Licensing Board (CSLB) is fast-tracking licenses to help accelerate the rebuilding process.
California Suspends Coastal Commission Review Process to Speed up Rebuilding
In an effort to reduce delays, Governor Newsom suspended permitting requirements under the California Coastal Act for fire victims. This means homeowners can bypass the often time-consuming Coastal Commission review process—cutting red tape and allowing for faster approvals in fire-impacted communities. For many, this will eliminate months of permitting delays and bring much-needed momentum to the rebuilding timeline.
Cal Fire Increases Fire Zones, Adding New Standards for 30% more Land Owners
This week, Cal Fire released new fire hazard maps, increasing designated high-risk zones by nearly 30%. For homeowners, that means stricter standards. Properties in these zones must maintain at least 100 feet of defensible space, and new construction must follow California’s rigorous fire-resistant building codes. Substantial remodels are also subject to these regulations. With 90% of existing homes in wildfire-prone areas built before today’s standards, there’s need for a growing focus on education.
The Latest with Burdge’s Role in the Rebuild
At Burdge, we're balancing a surge of new inquiries with our projects that were already in progress at the start of 2025. We’ve strengthened our team to ensure that our existing clients continue to experience the same level of care while adding fire rebuild projects to our schedule. Our team is committed to helping as many families as we can without compromising the care, quality, and attention to detail that defines a Burdge project. Thanks to our growing team, efforts to expedite the permitting process, and our hard-earned experience from previous fires, we’re operating more efficiently than ever. Designing sustainable, fire-resistant, and beautiful homes isn’t just part of what we do—it’s central to our mission moving forward.
If you’ve been impacted by the fires and are ready to rebuild, we’d love to talk. Reach out to discuss how we can help you get back into your beautiful home as soon as possible.
