SCE has admitted that its equipment (power lines) may have caused the Altadena fire. I do not understand your comment how the issuance of permits for housing in Altadena (a generally old community) contributed to the fire. Many of the lots in the more affluent areas are fairly large and houses were not built close to each other.

Much of the damage in the Palisades was in the alphabet streets. This is an old section of the Palisades with approx. 50 foot wide lots. Perhaps if LA precluded replacing old houses with new structures your comment might have merit. However, bear in mind that there has long been a complaint in LA (not sure about Altadena) that there is not enough housing so preventing new residences where old ones once were is a non-starter.