The 2025 Pacific Palisades fire started in the hills above Los Angeles, fed by record-high winds and drought conditions. The blaze spread quickly, eventually destroying thousands of homes and hundreds of businesses. (A man has since been charged by federal prosecutors with arson.) It was made worse by a cascade of errors that included poor planning, political maneuvering, and a breakdown in the chain of command.

In the aftermath, the decision of the governor and mayor to fast-track rebuilding efforts, according to CBS News correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti, has left residents and business owners vulnerable to future problems.…