MALIBU─Malibu city officials held a ribbon cutting celebration for homeowner Laurie Brennan’s newly reconstructed home on Monday, January 27 to celebrate the first home rebuilt since the Woolsey Fire in November 2018. Brennan’s newly constructed home in the Trancas Highlands of Western Malibu is the first owner-occupied, primary residence that has been completely rebuilt after it was destroyed.
City officials presented Brennan with a Certificate of Occupancy at the ribbon cutting celebration to mark the rebuild. The Woolsey Fire started on November 8, 2018 and destroyed nearly 100,000 acres marking it the largest wildfire in Los Angeles County history.
“I would not want to go through the experience of losing my house to the Woolsey Fire, but I feel truly blessed for all the wonderful people who have supported me and the good experiences that have come out of this,” said Brennan. “I could not have done this alone. Nobody can do this alone, so get help. I had no experience building a home, so if I can do it, anyone can.”
A total of 488 homes were destroyed during the Woolsey Fire and 1,600 structures were damaged across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. As of January 23, 2020, more than 200 single-family homes within Malibu city limits were destroyed in the blaze were various phases of the permitting and planning processes.
Fifty-seven homeowners received their permit to begin rebuilding construction work. Rebuild progress can be tracked on the city’s rebuild web portal at www.MalibuCity.org/WoolseyStats.
