New Study: Eaton and Palisades Fires Likely Killed Far More Than Reported
A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests the true death toll from Januaryās fires could be more than 440 peopleācompared to the 31 officially reported.
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That estimate comes from a sharp spike in all-cause deaths across L.A. County from Jan. 5 to Feb. 1, when the fires burned. Researchers believe many of those who died werenāt counted because their deaths didnāt involve visible burns or smoke inhalationābut instead stemmed from toxic air, lost power, or interrupted care.
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āThe differences are staggering,ā said Boston University demographer Andrew Stokes.
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š Full Story by Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times:
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Fair Plan Smoke Damage Claims Still Being Denied, Despite Court Ruling
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is facing backlash after choosing an administrative route which could take 15 years, rather than an emergency injunction, to stop illegal smoke damage denials by the California FAIR Plan.
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His own departmentās audit, completed in 2022, found 418 violations of state law by the FAIR Plan. Yet Lara waited more than three years to act, leaving Eaton and Palisades survivors to suffer needlessly.
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In June, a landmark court ruling declared FAIR Planās smoke exclusions illegal. But denials continue, and survivors are still being hurt.
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š Full Story by Laurence Darmiento in the Los Angeles Times:
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800+ Complaints Over Army Corps Cleanup
A new investigation reveals serious problems with the federal debris cleanup in Altadena and the Palisades. More than 800 complaints flooded the Army Corps hotline this spring detailing:
ā¢ Fire debris left behind.
ā¢ Contaminated pool water sprayed onto neighborsā yards.
ā¢ Crews ignoring their own depth and footprint requirements.
ā¢ Contractors over-excavating lotsāleaving costly holes to refill.
ā¢ Zero soil testingādespite toxic ash still in gardens and lawns.
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One company now advertises, āWeāll remove what [the Army Corps] leaves behind.ā
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š Full Investigation by Tony Briscoe in the Los Angeles Times:
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Did you notice what the 3 stories above have in common?
They all came from one place: the Los Angeles Times.
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Our hometown paper is consistently investigating more, and reporting more deeply, on our recovery than any other outlet in the country. And quality journalism costs money.
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The LA Times is in financial trouble. The rounds of layoffs keep coming. And yet, the paper continues to invest enormously in covering our recovery. These dedicated reporters show up up again and again, shining a light on the stories that matter to us most. Itās time we support them back.
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