Chico Times

Assembly Republicans visited Altadena on March 31 to evaluate the destruction caused by the Eaton Fire. They aimed to understand the impact and discuss the ongoing response efforts with federal and Los Angeles County officials.

The group consisted of several prominent figures, among them Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher from East Nicolaus, Assemblyman Juan Alanis from Modesto, Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo from Riverside, Assemblywoman Diane Dixon from Newport Beach, Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez from Indio, Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick from Alturas, Assemblyman Tom Lackey from Palmdale, Assemblyman Tri Ta from Westminster, and Steve Crowder, Mayor of Paradise.

During the visit, the group toured various affected sites, including Eaton Canyon, a commercial area hit hard by the fire, and a residential neighborhood still awaiting cleanup. Local leaders and fire officials addressed the challenges that the community faces in its recovery process. Mayor Steve Crowder, who witnessed the destruction of Paradise in the 2018 Camp Fire, shared his experiences with recovery after wildfire.

Assemblyman James Gallagher, representing Paradise, commended local leaders for their resilience and called for prompt action. He stated, "Altadena is proving how resilient communities can be, but they shouldn’t have to fight through bureaucracy to rebuild their homes and businesses." Gallagher emphasized his first-hand experience with wildfires and noted the need to remove bureaucratic obstacles to faster recovery. Detailing progress, he mentioned the Army Corps of Engineers' efforts, stating they have cleared 1,300 lots under directions received from President Trump, enabling the community to begin rebuilding.

The legislative group has also proposed new laws to expedite fire prevention and aid community recovery following wildfires. These initiatives underscore a commitment to ensure timely action and provide support for afflicted areas.