Gov. Gavin Newsom is heading to Los Angeles next week as the one-year anniversary of the deadly Pacific Palisades and Altadena fires collides with rising anger — and looming protests.
Newsom’s team confirmed the visit to The Post on Friday, saying the governor plans to meet directly with survivors still struggling to rebuild their lives.
The visit comes as frustration continues to boil over.
Several protests are planned across the Palisades and Altadena, with residents demanding federal intervention, the release of stalled disaster aid and a more hands-on role in rebuilding.
Many say they are marking a year of paying mortgages, HOA fees, and rent on homes they still can’t live in, while thousands remain displaced.
Behind the scenes, Newsom’s team is leaning heavily into a recovery message.
“Governor Newsom has taken unprecedented action to remove barriers that slow recovery and ensure bureaucracy does not stand between families and their return home,” a spokesperson said, while sharply criticizing former President Donald Trump for failing to transmit a recovery package to Congress. “That’s not just disrespectful — it’s a disgrace.”
Since the fires, Newsom’s office says the governor has issued 27 executive orders aimed at cutting red tape and accelerating rebuilding, including waivers or streamlining of CEQA, Coastal Act, and building requirements that historically delay recovery for years.
According to the governor’s office, those moves are beginning to show results. Local governments are now issuing rebuilding permits nearly three times faster than before the fires, with reviews averaging under 30 days. As of this week, 2,559 permits have been issued — compared with just 385 permits one year after the Camp Fire.
Still, some residents say speed on paper has not translated into relief on the ground.
Palisades fire survivor and protest organizer Jeremy Padawer said he hopes the governor will stop by next week’s “They Let Us Burn!” demonstration and hear directly from residents still struggling to rebuild.
“I would love it if Governor Newsom showed up,” Padawer said. “All he would need to do is listen.”
