Pacific Palisades Landscape Revives One Year After Devastating Fire on January 7, 2026

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. - Homes are not being rebuilt, by and large. But satellite images released this week reveal a remarkable transformation in Pacific Palisades, where winter rains have restored vibrant green vegetation to hillsides charred by the catastrophic January 2025 Palisades fire.

The blaze, which destroyed over 6,800 structures and claimed 12 lives, left vast areas barren, but new growth on surviving trees and the appearance of rebuilt structures on former rubble sites offer a hopeful sign of nature's resilience.

Published by the Los Angeles Times on January 13, 2026, the before-and-after visuals contrast the scorched landscape from early 2025 with the lush recovery evident by late December. While thousands of lots remain empty and full rebuilding continues slowly, the greening provides emotional relief to survivors still grappling with loss and delays. Officials note that the recovery highlights both natural healing and ongoing human efforts, though challenges like permitting and infrastructure persist in this affluent coastal enclave west of Santa Monica.

Palisades Fire Anniversary Fuels Political Firestorm in LA Mayoral Race

By Sarah Storkin

LOS ANGELES - The one-year mark of the January 2025 Palisades fire has intensified scrutiny on Mayor Karen Bass as the 2026 mayoral election approaches, with critics and challengers using the disaster to highlight alleged failures in preparedness and response. The fire, which devastated Pacific Palisades and killed 12 people, has become a defining issue, expanding the field of candidates and creating a political minefield for Bass' reelection bid.

Reports from the Los Angeles Times and other outlets detail growing calls for accountability, including investigations into evacuation alerts, firefighting deployment, and a reportedly "watered-down" after-action report by the Los Angeles Fire Department. Challengers like former schools superintendent Austin Beutner and reality TV star Spencer Pratt-who lost his home and announced his candidacy at an anniversary event-have seized on the tragedy to criticize city leadership. As the race heats up, the fire's legacy continues to shape debates over emergency management and recovery in West Los Angeles neighborhoods.