The Los Angeles fires have cast uncertainty over when the insurance crisis buffeting the entire state will ease, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara told the Chronicle during an interview Saturday in Santa Monica,

California's Fair Plan, the state's insurer of last resort, may be unable to pay billions in claims arising from the Los Angeles fires and may require a bailout that could ultimately be paid by homeowners statewide.

A recent rule change could cause a spike in insurance premium for homeowners across California, as the costs of the Los Angeles area wildfires are passed onto them in a way that was not allowed in the past.