What the Palisades Fires Taught Us About Building Resilient Homes

One year after the California Palisades wildfires, the rebuilding is still unfolding—and the lessons for builders are just beginning to surface.

In this episode, Curtis Lawson sits down with Los Angeles builder Chris Ferqueron to reflect on the fires, the aftermath, and how major disasters permanently change the homebuilding industry. From evolving building codes to shifting expectations around resilience, this conversation explores what builders need to understand before the next disaster hits.

You’ll hear practical, real-world insights on:

• How disasters drive building code changes

• Why risk is often underestimated in residential construction

• What resilient design really means beyond compliance

• The challenges of rebuilding in post-disaster environments

• How builders can better protect clients—and themselves—long term

This episode is for builders, remodelers, and construction professionals who want to think beyond short-term fixes and understand the bigger picture of building in a world where extreme events are becoming more common.