Wildfires Threaten livelihoods of Small Businesses in Altadena and Pacific Palisades
Altadena, CA & Pacific Palisades, CA – Recent wildfires have delivered a fresh blow to small businesses in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, forcing closures, disrupting supply chains, and raising concerns about long-term economic recovery. The blazes, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, underscore the increasing vulnerability of California’s business community to climate-related disasters.
These fires arrive as many businesses are still navigating the economic fallout from the pandemic, creating a double burden for owners and employees. The UCLA Latino Policy & Political Institute (LPPI) has been tracking the challenges faced by Latina entrepreneurs in Arizona, and similar vulnerabilities exist for small business owners across California, notably those in fire-prone areas. While specific data on the immediate financial impact of these recent fires is still being compiled, the potential for significant losses is high, and recovery efforts will be crucial.
On August 29,2023,the UCLA LPPI released a report titled “Business as Usual: Latina Entrepreneurs in Arizona Navigating the Postpandemic Economy,” highlighting the resilience and challenges faced by this demographic. The report’s findings resonate with the current situation in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, where many small businesses are owned and operated by women and people of color, who often have limited access to resources and support.
A recent UCLA LPPI brief also highlighted challenges and opportunities for Latina entrepreneurs in California and Arizona. The brief underscored the need for targeted support to address systemic barriers and promote economic empowerment.
Businesses in both communities were impacted by mandatory evacuations and road closures. While damage assessments are ongoing, the disruption to commerce is already evident. The UCLA LPPI’s research emphasizes the importance of proactive disaster preparedness and access to financial assistance for small businesses to mitigate the impact of future events.
For more information on the UCLA LPPI’s research, visit https://latino.ucla.edu/.
