Mitigating Fire Damage in L.A. County

In a tough month for Southern California, L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky claims that infrastructure investment and land use policies lessened the damage of the fires in the county -- more so than in other Southern California counties.

1 minute read

November 4, 2007, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"The reverse 911 system, which we have in Topanga, worked well. Coordination between fire and law enforcement officials worked out, mutual aid worked out, and our air support proved to be worth its weight in gold. We have invested millions of dollars in the aircraft-the ones we own and the ones we lease. And if you compare that to other counties in the region, we were able to respond quickly and overwhelmingly within the first hours of a fire outbreak, while providing mutual aid to do the job that we needed to do."

"We have been very careful in what we have permitted and where we permit it. Where we believe the property has sufficient resource value, we should keep it as open space for all time."

County Supervisor Yaroslavsky goes on to discuss the city of Los Angeles' implemantation of SB 1818, a density bonus program for affordable housing, and the planned development for Universal City.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007 in The Planning Report

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Colorful historic homes in Madrid, Spain.

Spain Moves to Ban 66,000 Airbnbs

The national government is requiring the short-term rental operator to remove thousands of illegal listings from its site as part of an effort to stem a growing housing crisis.

6 seconds ago - The New York Times

People with bikes ordering at food trucks outdoors.

Raleigh Launches Greenway Food Truck Pilot to Enhance Park Experiences

Raleigh’s new Greenway Food Truck Pilot Program brings local food vendors to popular greenway locations to enhance park experiences, support small businesses, and encourage community use of public spaces.

2 hours ago - City of Raleigh

"Units for sale - contact your local realtor" sign in front of homes.

‘Displaced By Design:’ Report Spotlights Gentrification in Black Neighborhoods

A new report finds that roughly 15 percent of U.S. neighborhoods have been impacted by housing cost increases and displacement.

May 19 - Next City

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.