Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Altadena Wildfire Recovery District Approved to Rebuild Infrastructure After Eaton Fire

Los Angeles County supervisors on Tuesday approved the creation of the Altadena Wildfire Recovery Infrastructure Financing District, establishing a long-term funding mechanism to rebuild public infrastructure and community assets damaged in the Eaton Fire earlier this year.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who chairs the Board of Supervisors and represents Altadena, led the initiative and secured the Board’s formal approval for the District’s development. The District will redirect future property tax revenues from Altadena into a dedicated fund for infrastructure restoration and disaster resilience.

“I’m proud to have championed this District as a tool to accelerate Altadena’s recovery,” Barger said in a County-issued statement. “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 authorized under Senate Bill 782, sponsored by the County and signed into law earlier this year. According to a County press release, the legislation was designed to help disaster-affected communities recover more quickly by enabling local reinvestment of tax revenue.

Funds from the District will support a broad range of recovery efforts, including repairs to roads, sidewalks, sewer systems, street lighting, and storm drains. Additional programs will support septic-to-sewer conversions and electric utility connections for newly undergrounded infrastructure.

County facilities damaged in the Eaton Fire—including the Altadena Senior Center, Eaton Canyon, and local parks—will also be eligible for rebuilding support through the District.

Beyond infrastructure, the District will prioritize affordable housing, small business recovery, and job training programs aimed at helping Altadena residents regain stability.

“The Eaton Fire left deep scars on the Altadena community,” Barger said. “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—Barger among them—and two public members appointed by the Board. Once formed, the Authority will formally adopt an Infrastructure Financing Plan, which will determine priorities and sequencing for funding of individual projects and programs.