MALIBU—The city of Malibu announced on Tuesday, September 30, that city staff are working to recoup federal disaster reimbursement for public infrastructure damages as a result of recent wildfires in January 2025. The Palisades and Franklin Fires impacted the Malibu area with varying degrees of damage.
On January 8, 2025, President Biden issued a Major Disaster Declaration, unlocking FEMA Public Assistance funding. Since then, City staff have worked tirelessly to secure reimbursement for fire recovery costs—ensuring Malibu residents aren’t left to shoulder the financial burden. A total of 17 projects totaling more than $13.28 million in damages have been submitted.
The breakdown:
• Debris Removal (Cat A): $1.86M – clearing burned material from city roads, parks, and properties.
• Emergency Protective Measures (Cat B): $5.16M – costs for the Emergency Operations Center, City Hall smoke cleanup, sandbags, guardrail protection, septic tank abatement, and emergency security.
• Roads & Bridges (Cat C): $1M – fire-related roadway and bridge repairs.
• Water Control Facilities (Cat D): $3.16M – storm drains and deep-water systems, especially in Big Rock.
• Parks & Facilities (Cat G): $2.1M – repairs at Las Flores Creek Park and other recreation areas.
FEMA covers 100 percent of emergency work for the first 180 days. After 180 days, any expenses would follow FEMA 75 percent thereafter (with California covering 18.75 percent and Malibu 6.25 percent).
Malibu is also pursuing Hazard Mitigation Grants for projects like drainage repairs, traffic signal backup power, and private property wildfire mitigation—building resilience for the future.
To see the presentation to the Malibu City Council on the reimbursement work visithttps://malibucity.org/DocumentCenter/View/36486/FEMA-Reimbursements-Presentation-to-Council-982025-?fbclid=IwY2xjawNJ_e5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBrVHRJRnJuajczS20wVVJRAR6xKbOEotb6Iy4LS62WK0Kq5VbMGXh1XdZcRFnJinr9UHK-LxrfK_uPuT_oQQ_aem_3_vfsbuvdOONinLGrVzxwQ.
By Danny Jones