Wildfires, Climate Change, and the Architecture of Resilience

Los Angeles fire map, January 12, 2025 (Google Maps)

As I write this, firefighters are making determined progress toward containing the devastating wildfires that have ravaged large swaths across the Greater Los Angeles Area. The Palisades Fire is 11% contained, while the Eaton Fire is 15% contained. However, at least 153,000 residents are still under evacuation orders, and the situation remains precarious. Fires have raced through the landscape, reducing homes, businesses, and irreplaceable landmarks to ashes. Communities are devastated and in need of urgent help. My heart aches for those who have lost their homes and for the families of those mourning loved ones. 

My wife and I spent two formative years in Los Angeles during the mid-1980s, so the areas touched by the fires are familiar to us. The wildfires are decimating or threatening numerous communities throughout the metro region, including Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, Brentwood, Encino, Hollywood Hills, Sylmar, Runyon Canyon, Mandeville Canyon, Bel-Air, and Westwood. We lived in an apartment building on S. Barrington Avenue in Brentwood, one of the areas now endangered by the expanding Palisades Fire. The conflagration is spreading eastward, causing extensive damage and leading to evacuation orders for Brentwood residents and the temporary cancellation of on-campus classes at nearby UCLA. The Palisades Fire alone has consumed over 23,000 acres, roughly equivalent to 36 square miles or about 17,400 football fields. 

Much of LA’s rich architectural heritage is at risk, including the historic Craftsman homes of Pasadena and mid-century Modern masterpieces in the Hollywood Hills. The wildfires have claimed the Andrew McNally House, the Zane Grey Estate, and the Will Rogers Estate. These losses represent not just buildings but pieces of the City of Angels’ historical fabric. Noteworthy structures under immediate threat include the Getty Center, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Eames House (among other important Case Study House Program examples). Culturally significant sites destroyed by the fires include the Bunny Museum in Altadena and the Reel Inn in Malibu, beloved by locals and visitors alike. These structures were iconic examples of Los Angeles' cultural legacy, and their destruction is a significant blow. 

Andrew McNally House, former home of the co-founder and president of the Rand McNally publishing company, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (photo by Einbierbitte, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

Relief efforts are currently underway to help those whose lives have been turned upside down by the fires. Organizations like FEMA and the Red Cross are providing immediate aid, while companies such as Disney and Paramount are donating large sums to support response and rebuilding efforts. The federal government has also declared a major disaster, allowing for increased federal help and resources to aid in recovery.

Rebuilding after such widespread destruction will present enormous challenges, both practical and political. The sheer scale of the damage, with over 19,000 structures destroyed (so far), requires a coordinated effort from local, state, and federal authorities. Political obstacles include navigating bureaucratic red tape, securing funding, and ensuring equitable distribution of resources. There will be a need to reform and streamline the permitting processes to expedite rebuilding. Adding to the complexity, many homeowners in the affected areas recently lost their insurance coverage. State Farm, one of the largest insurers in California, canceled hundreds of homeowners' policies last summer in Pacific Palisades and other high-risk areas. This move left many residents scrambling for coverage through the California FAIR Plan, the state's insurer of last resort. The lack of adequate insurance coverage exacerbates the financial strain on homeowners, making the rebuilding process even more challenging.

All told, the scope of rebuilding in the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires will be vast. The long-term recovery process could span five years or more. During this time, affected residents will need ongoing support to cope with the challenges of displacement and rebuilding. Temporary housing, financial assistance, and mental health services will be crucial in helping them navigate this difficult period.

The Palisades Fire viewed from the roof of a high rise building in downtown Los Angeles (photo by Toastt21, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

We here in Oregon are not unfamiliar with the devastating impact of wildfires, which is why we watch what is tragically occurring in Los Angeles with recognition and empathy. Our wildfires likewise threatened homes (or destroyed them outright) and rendered familiar landscapes unrecognizable. Their increased frequency and severity in recent years is a wake-up call to anyone who is paying attention. Rising average temperatures, prolonged droughts, and changing weather patterns have created conditions that are more conducive to their occurrence. Case in point: The current water year is the driest ever on record for southern California. Vegetation is tinder dry. The intensity of the wildfires we are witnessing now in California should not come as a surprise.

Communities affected by the wildfires must consider the broader context of climate change and its impact as they rebuild. This means designing buildings and communities that are not only resilient to wildfires but also adaptable in other ways to the changing climate. Though I spent my working life as an architect, I do not consider myself an expert when it comes to resilient design. I do believe using fire-resistant materials, designing buildings with defensible space, and integrating advanced fire suppression systems are crucial. Architects and urban planners can prioritize these strategies to protect structures and their occupants from future wildfires. The wildfires also highlight the importance of urban planning in fire-prone areas. Zoning regulations should consider the natural landscape and the potential for wildfires. Creating buffer zones, maintaining vegetation, and ensuring adequate access for firefighting equipment are crucial steps in mitigating the impact of wildfires on urban areas.

New technologies present opportunities for enhancing the resilience of buildings. Smart home systems can monitor air quality and detect fires early, while drones and satellite imagery can provide real-time data to assist in firefighting efforts. Embracing these technologies can help us design safer and more resilient structures. Additionally, architecture can incorporate both active and passive measures to adjust to severe weather conditions. For example, passive measures, such as using higher insulation values and thermally resistant glazing, can help buildings withstand extreme temperatures. Active measures, such as automated shading systems, can adjust to changing weather conditions to protect buildings and their occupants. Community involvement in the rebuilding process can also help ensure new structures meet the needs of residents while being better prepared for future wildfires. This can include public meetings for input, collaborative design workshops, and volunteer programs to support rebuilding efforts. Such involvement fosters a sense of ownership and resilience within the community, helping it to recover, adapt, and succeed in the face of adversity. 

A Chase Bank branch on Sunset Boulevard burning on January 8 (photo by CAL FIRE_Official, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

I fear we've already passed the tipping point beyond which runaway warming and its inevitable impacts will be a fact of life. This prompts some critical questions: Besides designing for resilience, what other actions can we take to mitigate the consequences of climate change? How will we afford the costs of massive recovery efforts time and time again? The financial burden of rebuilding after each disaster is immense, and as these events become more common, the strain on resources will only grow. Addressing this challenge will require innovative funding solutions, increased investment in resilient infrastructure and, most importantly, a collective acknowledgment of the climate crisis and its implications. The scale of the necessary mitigation efforts will otherwise cripple the world’s economies.

Ultimately, the magnitude of the response will instigate a paradigm shift on a global scale. Acknowledging the role of climate change in the increased risk of wildfires is imperative. How future generations live on this planet will necessarily be different if they are to survive, let alone thrive. The wildfires in Los Angeles are a powerful reminder of the need for resilient architectural design and thoughtful urban planning. My thoughts are with everyone affected by these fires, and I hope we can all find ways to support those who are enduring this difficult time.