Barger Calls for Wildfire Liability Reforms to Protect Survivors

Kathryn Barger (Office of Sup. Barger)

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is calling on state lawmakers to ensure that any wildfire liability reforms negotiated with Gov. Gavin Newsom protect the rights of wildfire survivors and do not shift the burden of catastrophic fires onto the people and communities affected by them.

By News Desk

In a statement issued today, Barger said California needs a sustainable wildfire liability system and expressed support for efforts to provide financial assistance to survivors more quickly. However, she cautioned that faster payments should not come at the expense of survivors’ rights to pursue full and fair compensation.

“The Eaton Fire continues to show us that wildfire devastation lingers,” Barger said, pointing to the impact on families in Altadena who lost their homes, businesses and everything they had built.

Barger said some survivors are rebuilding while dealing with the financial and emotional consequences of their losses, while others have been unable to begin rebuilding because of overwhelming financial pressures and constraints.

She said a fast-pay program could be part of the solution, but should remain an option for survivors rather than a replacement for their legal rights.

Barger also called for scrutiny of any reforms that could limit recovery, weaken accountability or shift costs onto survivors, local governments or taxpayers.

The supervisor said she has sent a letter to Gov. Newsom requesting clarity about a legislative proposal under consideration. She said survivors and the public deserve to understand what is being proposed and how potential changes could affect their ability to recover.

Barger urged lawmakers involved in the negotiations to consider the perspectives of wildfire survivors before approving a final proposal.

“Reforming California’s wildfire liability system is important, but don’t make survivors pay the price,” Barger said. “As lawmakers negotiate, they must do what is right for the people who survived these wildfires.”