California Black Media
Mayor Karen Bass Takes Pro-Active Steps as Effort to Contain Fire Advances
The Eaton and Palisades fires have claimed 27 lives and burned over 60 square miles, destroying over 12,000 structures, including homes and businesses. As of Jan. 19, the Eaton Fire was 81% contained, while the Palisades Fire was at 52%. Residents under evacuation orders have dropped to 92,000, but officials warn new orders may be issued.
By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
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Recovery efforts in Los Angeles and Ventura counties faced setbacks last week as powerful winds — up to 70 mph — created extreme fire danger through Wednesday. Red flag warnings, signaling high fire risks due to low humidity and dry conditions, were in effect, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported. Firefighters and officials also made urgent preparations, with resources positioned to mitigate the risks of new wildfires.
The Eaton and Palisades fires have claimed 27 lives and burned over 60 square miles, destroying over 12,000 structures, including homes and businesses. As of Jan. 19, the Eaton Fire was 81% contained, while the Palisades Fire was at 52%. Residents under evacuation orders have dropped to 92,000, but officials warn new orders may be issued.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass emphasized proactive measures, including strategic deployment of firefighters and water tankers.
“L.A. City firefighters and firefighters from across the county, state and nation and even overseas are in a proactive and strategic posture to save lives,” said Bass, reinforcing that city officials are making urgent preparations to mobilize resources.
The L.A. Department of Water and Power has made over six billion gallons of water available for firefighting and addressed prior water supply issues. Meanwhile, drinking water advisories remain for affected areas, including northern Pasadena and Pacific Palisades.
Safety measures are in place, including a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in evacuation zones to prevent looting and burglaries. Officials have also warned against price gouging, with Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman pledging legal action against violators.
Authorities are also addressing the health impacts of smoke exposure, urging residents to limit outdoor activities and use N95 masks or air purifiers. The NWS has labeled the current conditions a “particularly dangerous situation,” urging vigilance and evacuation readiness as high winds persist.
Search and rescue operations for missing persons continue, with 23 people unaccounted for in L.A. County. Officials remain focused on containment efforts, protecting communities, and preventing further destruction.
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Oakland Post: Week of February 18 – 24, 2026
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 18 – 24, 2026
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Oakland Post: Week of February 11 – 17, 2026
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 11 – 17, 2026
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Bo Tefu
Trump’s White House Pushes to Control California Wildfire Recovery
The executive order signed Jan. 27 by President Donald Trump directs federal agencies to explore regulations that could override California and municipal permitting rules for homes and other structures destroyed in the fires. Land-use and rebuilding permits have traditionally been handled by cities and counties, making the move an unprecedented federal intervention into disaster recovery.
By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
The White House is moving to take control of wildfire recovery efforts in the Los Angeles County area, issuing an executive order that would shift rebuilding permit authority from state and local governments to the federal government following the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires.
The executive order signed Jan. 27 by President Donald Trump directs federal agencies to explore regulations that could override California and municipal permitting rules for homes and other structures destroyed in the fires. Land-use and rebuilding permits have traditionally been handled by cities and counties, making the move an unprecedented federal intervention into disaster recovery.
“I want to see if we can take over the city and state and just give the people their permits they want to build,” Trump told the media when signing the order.
The Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed about 16,000 homes, businesses, and other structures across Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and surrounding areas. According to local data, roughly 4,700 applications to rebuild have been submitted, with about 2,000 approved so far. Officials say the pace of rebuilding is consistent with recovery timelines from other major wildfires in California, where reconstruction often takes several years.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass quickly condemned the order, stating that it is unnecessary and legally questionable. Disaster recovery experts echoed those concerns, pointing to constitutional limits on federal authority over land-use decisions.
Trump’s order calls on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration to consider allowing builders to self-certify compliance with health and safety regulations to receive federal approval.
The dispute has become another flashpoint in the ongoing political battle between Trump and Newsom. The governor has requested $33 billion in federal disaster aid that has not yet been approved, while survivors continue to face challenges related to insurance payouts, high rebuilding costs, and legal disputes tied to the cause of the fires.
“Instead of finally sending to Congress the federal relief Los Angeles needs to rebuild from last year’s firestorms, Donald Trump continues to live in fantasy land,” Newsom wrote on X.
Bass said the White House could speed recovery by approving disaster aid and pushing insurers and lenders to support affected residents.
Trump’s order calls for draft regulations within 30 days and final rules within 90 days.
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