One year after devastating wildfires disrupted large swaths of Southern California, the state’s business community is firmly in recovery mode. Employers are reopening facilities, rebuilding worksites, expanding operations, and ramping up hiring. But while doing so, businesses should be aware of some California-specific laws while also preparing for future wildfire seasons and other climate-driven events. This Insight takes a brief look back at what employers experienced over the past year but primarily focuses on practical steps employers should be taking now – especially if you are expanding into California or supporting reconstruction efforts.

A Year Later: What the Recovery Looks Like in Practice

Available data shows the massive impact of the 2025 wildfire season, but also demonstrates some real momentum when it comes to the recovery:

• More than 6,800 businesses and over 47,000 workers were directly impacted by the wildfires across affected regions.
• Approximately 93% of wildfire-related insurance claims had been partially paid by mid-2025, meaning that billions of dollars in rebuilding and operational funding have flowed into the reconstruction system.
• Hundreds of rebuilding permits have been issued, signaling sustained business reinvestment.

Source: Study from the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC)’s Institute for Applied Economics, October 1, 2025.

Preventive Steps...

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