LA Councilmembers Clash Over Clearing Homeless Camps from Fire-Prone Areas

Lefty councilmembers vote to limit authorities' ability to remove encampments on private land in high-risk fire zones

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Three Los Angeles city councilmembers voted to restrict the ability of authorities to clear homeless encampments from private land in high-risk fire zones, despite warnings from other councilmembers and residents about the fire danger posed by the camps. The motion, which ultimately passed 11-3, directs city agencies to explore legal ways to address the issue, as current restrictions prevent officials from removing camps on private property even when the land poses an imminent fire threat.

Why it matters

This vote highlights the ongoing tensions in LA over how to balance concerns about public safety and fire risk with protecting the rights of homeless individuals. The decision could leave vulnerable hillside communities at greater risk of devastating wildfires sparked by encampment fires, even as some councilmembers argue the measure is meant to "protect residents."

The details

The motion, authored by Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, aims to give city crews "the tools they need" to address encampments that pose an immediate fire danger, particularly on private land where identifying property boundaries can be "difficult and time-consuming." However, three Democratic Socialist-aligned councilmembers voted against the measure, with one arguing it could just "push homeless folks from one side of the street to another hill." In a break from her left-leaning bloc, Councilmember Nithya Raman, a mayoral candidate, voted in favor, citing the real impact of past evacuations due to fires.

  • In October 2025, a multi-agency operation found multiple camps, abandoned sites, hazardous debris and oil containers in Very High Fire Severity Zones in the Pacific Palisades, despite expectations that few encampments would remain after a previous fire.
  • In September 2025, a fire sparked by an unpermitted campsite on private vacant land near the Malibu Racquet Club began as a 'small cooking fire' before firefighters were able to knock it down.

The players

Monica Rodriguez

A Los Angeles city councilmember who co-authored the measure to give authorities more tools to address homeless encampments in high-risk fire zones.

Eunisses Hernandez

A Los Angeles city councilmember and member of the Democratic Socialists who voted against the measure.

Hugo Soto-Martinez

A Los Angeles city councilmember and member of the Democratic Socialists who voted against the measure, arguing it could just "push homeless folks from one side of the street to another hill."

Ysabel Jurado

A Los Angeles city councilmember and member of the Democratic Socialists who voted against the measure, calling for more study despite the motion ordering a study.

Nithya Raman

A Los Angeles city councilmember and declared mayoral candidate who broke from the Democratic Socialist bloc to vote in favor of the measure, citing the real impact of past evacuations due to fires.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The hazard to our city and other hillside residents is very real, very palpable. The threat is immediate, not hypothetical.”

— Monica Rodriguez, Los Angeles City Councilmember (nypost.com)

“This has a real impact on our community — we've had to evacuate from fires, and we need preventative measures like this.”

— Lydia Grant, President of the Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council (nypost.com)

“People have warming fires... and they cook. If you have camps on dormant land, you will have fire.”

— Sharon Kilbride, Santa Monica Canyon Resident (nypost.com)

What’s next

The motion now heads to the City Attorney, who will work with the Fire Department and Building and Safety officials to determine what legal changes would be needed before the city can act on clearing homeless encampments from high-risk fire zones on private land.

The takeaway

This vote reflects the ongoing challenges LA faces in balancing public safety concerns about wildfire risk with protecting the rights of homeless individuals. The decision could leave vulnerable hillside communities at greater risk, even as some argue the measure is meant to "protect residents" - underscoring the complex tradeoffs involved in addressing the city's homelessness crisis.