Civic leaders in the region believe that side efforts are necessary to rebuild after the wildfires. They just can’t settle on which one.

Millions of dollars have been raised for victims of the wildfires, including the superstar-riddled FireAid concert, but where is all the money going?

The Pacific Palisades had a “flavor,” as broker Anthony Marguleas remembers it. The residential neighborhood on the Westside of Los Angeles smacked of a modern-day Mayberry, the idyllic small town from “The Andy Griffith Show.

Building a more resilient Los Angeles will require a government refocused on efficiently providing critical infrastructure and services at a lower tax burden to residents. Continuing restrictive zoning, high taxes and low-quality services will limit the potential rise in property values from rebuilding.

Fires in the Los Angeles area may result in claims of between 500 million euros ($518.95 million) and 700 million euros for the reinsurer Hannover Re , the company's chief executive Jean-Jacques Henchoz said on Thursday.