Malibu’s Big Rock residents celebrate milestones nearly a year after the Palisades Fire
The scars of the Palisades Fire — which ignited on Jan. 7 and tore through the hillsides of Pacific Palisades and Malibu — remain etched into the landscape and the hearts of all who call it home. Yet amid the charred slopes and slow, steady reconstruction, a spark of hope lit up the Big Rock neighborhood last week. Residents gathered for a modest but heartfelt “Let’s Go Home” block party, raising a toast to the issuance of eight building permits — a concrete sign that recovery is taking hold. Organized by local advocates, the event highlighted the community’s resilience and the city’s growing support as residents navigate the long and complicated road toward rebuilding.
The Palisades Fire, one of the most devastating blazes in recent Malibu history, displaced familes and destroyed hundreds of homes. In Big Rock, a tight-knit community perched on the rugged bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the inferno hit hard. Inland Lane, for instance, saw 12 out of 14 homes reduced to rubble. Nearly a year later, the neighborhood’s “Let’s Go Home” gathering wasn’t just a celebration — it was a defiant rallying cry.
Jo Drummond, a dedicated zone captain and resident who lost her own home, described the event as a much-needed boost of positivity in an often grueling process. “We had three families there who actually had permits, and we were all just celebrating and trying to be positive about the rebuild, which it’s hard to be, but we’re excited,” Drummond shared. “I think there’s been over 80 applications put in in Big Rock, so 10 is more than 10% that’s issued. We’re hoping by the end of next year, half of Big Rock will be rebuilt.”
The families spotlighted at the event embodied the personal stories behind the statistics. Lindsay Luzader, along with her husband Jeff, presented drawings of their new home. Luzader, a mother of two — a 13-year-old daughter named Millicent and a newborn son, Malachi — has faced the rebuild amid major life changes.
Nearby on Inland Lane, Jimmy and Ina Petulla also shared their progress. With five permits now issued on their street alone, the neighborhood is starting to envision a return to normalcy. The gathering drew not only residents but also key city staff members — Senior Plan Check Engineer Andre Ketchedjian, Permit Services Technician Jasmine Garlington, and Associated Planner Larbi Azzaz — who provided real-time updates on pending applications. One poignant moment came when they informed an 87-year-old neighbor, Hushang, that his final corrections were imminent.
“He really wants his permit because he keeps saying he wants to die in his house,” Drummond recounted with a mix of humor and empathy. “I’m like, you’re gonna live a long time, Hushang. Don’t worry.”
This on-the-spot support reflects the broader collaborative framework driving Malibu’s rebuild. The zone captains, a network of volunteer liaisons established under the Malibu Rebuild Task Force chaired by Abe Roy, have become indispensable. Drummond explained that these weekly meetings bridge the gap between wary residents and city officials.
“Most residents actually don’t trust the city, and they’re kind of a little intimidated dealing with them, so they’re happy to deal with their neighbor,” she said. “I can get more information for them than their own architect can give them.”
The impact is evident in the numbers. Just five weeks ago, only four permits had been issued in Big Rock; now, that figure stands at 17. Drummond credits the zone captains’ advocacy for accelerating progress, including pushing for streamlined geotechnical requirements. A crucial meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 10, aims to update guidelines based on outdated 1987 maps, advocating for minor reports over comprehensive ones for homes that stood safely for decades.
“We’re trying to make the geotechnical requirements not as stringent because we’ve had homes there before,” Drummond noted. The city’s recent hire of a new geotechnical consultant, who aided Santa Rosa’s three-year rebuild post-wildfire, signals potential for faster timelines.
Citywide, the momentum is building. According to the latest updates from the City of Malibu, 432 building permits have been issued for rebuild-related activities, with 166 planning submittals received and 159 approved. Malibu Community Development Director Yolanda Bundy, in a statement, emphasized the human element: “Rebuilding Malibu is more than a municipal responsibility; it is a shared commitment born of care, hope, and community. Residents have faced unimaginable loss, yet their courage and resilience light the path forward.”
Bundy’s update provides a fuller picture: As of mid-November, 421 building permits have been issued for repairs, damages, and rebuilding; 180 planning submittals have been received, with 106 approved; and 16 single-family home permits have been granted, with more anticipated soon. These figures are tracked live on the dashboard at MalibuRebuilds.org/rebuild-dashboard. “Each number represents a home, a family, and a tangible step toward recovery,” Bundy stated. “These are not just statistics — they are milestones of hope and proof that Malibu is coming back stronger.”
Malibu Mayor Marianne Riggins echoed this optimism, praising the synergy between residents and city staff. “It’s great. I think things are coming together with a combination of property owners getting their plans together and everything and coming into the Rebuild Center and working with staff to get everything approved so we can start construction,” she said.
Riggins also highlighted the effectiveness of the zone captains: “Breaking it down into each of those neighborhoods so there’s a little bit more direct contact with each zone captain … I think it’s a really good dynamic.”
Resources are ramping up to meet the demand. The city has partnered with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Caltrans for oceanfront properties, facilitating construction logistics. New contracts for environmental health, geology, and coastal engineering reviews promise further efficiencies. “We hope to be seeing improvements in each of those areas and even more approvals coming through,” Riggins added.
Yet, challenges persist: Malibu’s unique terrain — steep hillsides, coastal bluffs, and environmentally sensitive areas — imposes rigorous state and federal regulations. Bundy addressed this head-on: “These are not ‘red tape’ burdens; they are life-safety protections that safeguard families and the community for generations.” Drummond pointed out bottlenecks in building and safety departments, particularly geotechnical reviews that can take four to five months. Residents also grapple with insurance hurdles, design team selections, and unexpected complications like undergrounding power lines by Southern California Edison (SCE), which requires new trenching for electricity.
To ease these burdens, community tools like a WhatsApp group with over 300 fire victims and monthly Zoom meetings provide updates and expert access. An upcoming session on Wednesday will feature an SCE planner to address power restoration. Drummond stressed the full-time nature of rebuilding: “Unfortunately, rebuilding your homes is like a full-time job.” For those short on time, zone captains step in, chasing deadlines and changes.
On the positive side, the city has reduced plan check corrections from hundreds to just five or six per application, thanks to new hires and feedback loops. “That’s all Yolanda. She’s really been great about hiring the right people and getting the corrections … She’s really listening to the feedback,” Drummond said. The county’s recent waiver of fire department fees saves residents about $2,000 each, a small but significant relief.
Riggins urged residents to engage actively. “Go to the Rebuild Center,” she said. “The information’s there. There are people there to help … No question is stupid. Keep asking … It’s a confusing process. It’s a difficult process. And there’s staff there to help.”
As the one-year anniversary of the Franklin Fire approaches — a blaze that destroyed two homes — reflections on the past year offer both perspective and hope. “I do feel like the community’s coming back together… Things are moving more in a positive light a year later,” Riggins shared, noting that while some homeowners faced personal delays, overall recovery is progressing.
The City of Malibu announced that it will pause to honor those affected, recognize partner agencies, and reflect on the community’s resilience at its City Council meeting on Monday, Dec. 8, at 5:30 p.m. “The anniversary of the Franklin Fire is an opportunity to acknowledge the hardship our community has endured and lean into the strength that continues to carry us forward,” Riggins said. “We encourage residents to join us as we honor our past and look ahead to the future we are building together.”
Riggins and Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Silverstein will offer brief opening remarks, followed by the presentation of certificates of appreciation to key partners who supported the fire response, including regional fire agencies, law enforcement, Arson Watch, the Community Brigade, Volunteers on Patrol, and the City of Calabasas.
Drummond’s message to the community is one of urgency and optimism, “They should definitely put in their applications… Our goal is to have all applications through building and safety and plan check within three months … It ends up being cheaper if you do it now rather than a year from now.”
In Big Rock and beyond, the “Let’s Go Home” spirit captures Malibu’s essence. As Bundy poetically put it, “What defines Malibu is not the fires that swept through it, but the spirit that rose from the ashes.”