Los Angeles Fines Palisades Fire Victims for Uncleared Brush

Residents outraged after receiving citations despite losing their homes in the deadly blaze

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Homeowners in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles who lost their homes in a deadly wildfire last year have received fines from the city for failing to clear hazardous brush on their properties prior to the fire. Residents are outraged, arguing they have no homes left and should not be penalized for the city's failures to prepare for and respond to the disaster.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges and frustrations faced by wildfire victims in California, who often feel abandoned by local governments that fail to take adequate preventative measures or hold themselves accountable for infrastructure and response shortcomings. The fines levied on these homeowners add insult to injury and raise questions about the city's priorities in the aftermath of a devastating natural disaster.

The details

According to reports, the Los Angeles Fire Department has issued brush clearance fines to property owners in high-risk fire zones who did not comply with vegetation management requirements prior to the Palisades Fire. This includes residents who lost their homes in the blaze, such as Carol Sandborn, who wrote "This is insulting and cruel. We have no house and we have no brush" on her invoice before sending it back to the city.

  • The Palisades Fire occurred in 2022.
  • Residents received the brush clearance fines in 2023, after losing their homes in the fire.

The players

Carol Sandborn

A resident of Pacific Palisades who lost her home of 40 years in the Palisades Fire.

Karen Bass

The Mayor of Los Angeles, who claimed no one who lost their home should receive these penalties.

Los Angeles Fire Department

The agency issuing the brush clearance fines to property owners in high-risk fire zones.

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What they’re saying

“This is insulting and cruel. We have no house and we have no brush.”

— Carol Sandborn, Resident (New York Post)

“No one who lost their home should receive these penalties.”

— Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles (New York Post)

What’s next

The city has faced widespread criticism for its handling of the Palisades Fire and the subsequent fines levied on victims. It remains to be seen if any policy changes or accountability measures will be implemented to address these issues.

The takeaway

This case highlights the callousness and lack of empathy displayed by some local governments towards natural disaster victims, even as they struggle to rebuild their lives. It underscores the need for more compassionate and proactive disaster response policies that prioritize supporting affected communities over punitive measures.