By Angelica C. Gualpa
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the creation of the Altadena Wildfire Recovery Infrastructure Financing District yesterday, marking a major step forward in rebuilding the community after the devastating Eaton Fire earlier this year.
The Eaton Fire in January 2025 destroyed approximately 9,400 structures in Altadena and resulted in 19 deaths. The county’s district approval allows for a dedicated, long-term funding source to restore critical infrastructure while strengthening Altadena’s resilience against future disasters.
“I’m proud to have championed this District as a tool to accelerate Altadena’s recovery,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger (R-Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, San Marino, Pasadena, La Cañada-Flintridge, portions of the San Gabriel Valley). “Our residents have endured unimaginable loss. This new District ensures that we have a focused, sustainable way to fund the infrastructure improvements needed to help families, businesses, and neighborhoods rebuild stronger and safer than before.”
The district was made possible through State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez’s (D-Altadena, Arcadia, Burbank, Claremont, Duarte, Glendale, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, South Pasadena, Upland) legislation, Senate Bill 782, which is designed to help communities recover more quickly after disasters. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation earlier this month.
Under this structure, the County will redirect future property tax revenues from the Altadena area back into the District to fund essential rebuilding projects directly benefiting the community.
Funds from the District will support a broad range of recovery efforts, including restoring critical infrastructure destroyed in the fire, such as roads, sidewalks, sewer systems, street lights, and storm drains. Programs will also be identified to support septic-to-sewer conversion and electric utility connections for newly undergrounded electrical infrastructure.
The District will also prioritize opportunities to support affordable housing, small business recovery, and job training to help residents regain stability and rebuild their lives.
District funding will also help support the rebuilding of County facilities impacted by the Eaton Fire, including the Altadena Senior Center, County parks, and Eaton Canyon.
“The Eaton Fire left deep scars on the Altadena community,” said Barger. “This innovative financing approach turns local tax growth into local recovery. Every dollar generated in this community will repair what was lost and equip our community with more resilience.”
The District will be overseen by a five-member Public Financing Authority, including three members of the Board of Supervisors–with Supervisor Barger among them– and two public members appointed by the Board.
Once formed, the Authority will formally adopt an Infrastructure Financing Plan to determine priorities and sequencing for funding individual projects and programs.
