By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Pacific Palisades and Pacific Coast Highway will reopen to the general public—though “local traffic only” is still being encouraged—effective Sunday, February 2, at 8 a.m., Mayor Karen Bass and other city officials reported during a virtual town hall on Friday, January 31.

Over the next three days, the National Guard will be winding down its operations, being replaced by a “true surge” of six Los Angeles Police Department supervisors and 66 officers present for every 12-hour shift, in addition to 31 license plate readers.

LAPD, District Attorney Nathan Hochman and City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto confirmed during the town hall that there will be a “zero tolerance policy” for crime, including looting and price gouging, and people will be prosecuted and sentenced to the full extent of the law, which they collectively hope will serve as a deterrent for criminals who would otherwise be attracted to the area at this time.

Councilmember Traci Park pushed back on the reopening of the Palisades during the meeting, citing that increased traffic in the area could lead to an increase in crime and difficulties for residents who are just now beginning to return to their properties, but agreed that PCH needs to be reopened for residents and workers to be able to navigate the city.

“This still feels premature,” Park said. “From the toxic environment and damaged roads and infrastructure to roads and landslides and debris flows to the need to keep our roadways clear for all of the utility workers and the hundreds more who will be on the ground in coming days. It seems to me that this area remains a disaster zone, and I don’t think anyone should be up there without a legitimate reason.”

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said the department is working to balance the needs of Pacific Palisades with the rest of the city, as they have been in “citywide tactical alert” since the start of Palisades fire on January 7—meaning calls are being answered in the Palisades, but routine calls are not being responded to in other parts of the city.

With the departure of the National Guard and its support at places like checkpoints, LAPD is reassessing where to place its resources. Critical infrastructure sites, like banks and Palisades Charter High School, will continue to be closely monitored, McDonnell said, and an incident command post will remain at Will Rogers State Beach.

McDonnell said he spoke with Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, as Malibu and other areas have been open for a week. He said the department has not seen an uptick in crime or non-resident/hired services in the areas they serve.

Speaking on behalf of Caltrans, Lauren Wooder explained that PCH would be open with one lane in each direction between Carbon Teach Terrace and McClure Tunnel, with an adjusted speed limit of 25 MPH and red-flashing lights at signals. She said she expected “highly congested traffic,” and for those who do not need to be in the area to avoid it so that residents have easier access.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Director of Water Quality Jonathan Leung confirmed that pressure has been stable for a week, so there should be running water service, but the “do not drink” notice remains in effect.

Hundreds of samples from all corners of the area will need to be tested, Leung explained, with possible further remediation efforts, which, in total, could take a “few weeks.” He said the department is “working to restore as soon and as safely as possible.”

LADWP’s John Vanacore reported that over 4,000 customers have had power restored, with 700 poles fixed and 600 to 1,000 more estimated to be repaired next week. He noted that residents may notice poles in places where they were not previously, which he said are temporary to get power to more customers as quickly as possible. 

Once PCH and the Palisades reopen on Sunday, a curfew will no longer be enforced and those coming to the area—whether residents or contractors, cleaning services etc.—will not need a pass.

The Palisades fire first began on Tuesday, January 7, prompting evacuation orders across the community. Some residents were first able to return to the area as of Monday, January 27.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass will host a virtual community meeting the afternoon of Friday, January 31, beginning at 3 p.m. regarding plans to “safely lift restrictions in the Palisades.”

Bass will be joined by Councilmember Traci Park, City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, District Attorney Nathan Hochman and Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell.

“I am committed to providing you with accurate, up-to-the-minute information as we move forward on recovery,” Bass wrote in an emailed statement, “and I hope you will join us this afternoon.”

Those who are interested in signing up to receive a link to the meeting can register here.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Pacific Palisades Community Council hosted a special meeting on Thursday, January 23, inviting local officials to speak regarding recovery following the Palisades fire.

The three-hour meeting quickly reached capacity—with 1,000 people joining the Zoom and many more in the waiting room. A full recording of the meeting is available through the PPCC website.

“We are working on different options to increase attendance capacity at future fire recovery meetings,” PPCC confirmed.

PPCC President Sue Kohl began the meeting, speaking on the profound loss of homes and community due to the Palisades fire.

“It’s completely heartbreaking and devastating for all of us, our town has been decimated,” Kohl said. “The fire might destroy our homes and our buildings, but there is no way that our Palisades community could ever be destroyed. We are too strong, too resilient and too intent on coming back. We will support each other every step of the way, and we will stand together in this enormous effort to rebuild, and to bring back everything we lost and everyone we love.”

Kohl then introduced the first speaker, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who expressed her condolences before stating her commitment to rebuilding the Palisades “completely.”

“I am committed to making sure that Palisades comes back, and that we’re going to stand together as a community,” Bass said.

Bass said she is dedicated to being a part of community conversations, and to answer any questions residents may have.

“I think one of the most important things that I can do—and we can do—is to be in constant communication,” she said. “It is so easy for misinformation and confusion and rumors to take over, and if we stand strong with your organizations, we will be able to overcome that. I will always be accessible to you.”

Councilmember Traci Park shared a similar message, and encouraged attendees to be vigilant and aware of predatory practices.

“You may get calls or texts from businesses you’ve never heard of … take advice from people you know [and] you trust, if you need help,” Park said. “You need to know your rights and your benefits. Don’t make hasty decisions right now.”

Park explained that city offices will “eventually” be set up in the Palisades to get permits issued quickly. If individuals decide to build “like-for-like”—meaning rebuilding their house similar to the original footprint—they will be given a “rubber stamp” of approval for their plans.

Park also emphasized a focus on getting Palisades Branch Library, Palisades Recreation Center and parks rebuilt as soon as possible.

She also confirmed during the meeting that she has stepped away from her role of chair of the city’s Olympics committee, instead leading an ad hoc committee for LA Recovery: “That work, and the work ahead, is where my heart is now.”

Palisades Charter High Principal Dr. Pamela Magee provided updates about the school, which has temporarily shifted instruction online. She reported that the school hopes to have a satellite location secured in the “short-term future.”

“Students really do want to be together,” Magee said.

Additional speakers included Los Angeles Unified School District Board Member Nick Melvoin, Chief of Los Angeles Police Department Jim McDonnell, County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, District Attorney Nathan Hochman, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley, Congressmember Brad Sherman’s office, State Senator Ben Allen and CAL FIRE.

The speakers also responded to questions that were collected ahead of the meeting, delivered by Chris Spitz, PPCC at-large representative. Spitz said that 50 or so questions—14 pages worth—were forwarded to the speakers ahead of time so they could incorporate answers into what they reported.

Spitz read a text she received ahead of the meeting to begin the Q&A portion of the meeting.

“We need to hear, when can we go back?” Spitz started. “When will the utilities be fixed? When are the lots going to be cleared? What are we going to do to get the schools rebuilt? And when can the businesses start rebuilding? That is fundamentally what a lot of people want to know.”

Park first responded, saying that her office has received many of the same questions, but certainty was “difficult to come by,” saying that she shares the frustration, but that the city was “still really very much in emergency response mode at this time.”

Looking to the future, PPCC said it plans to hold a series of additional special meetings “very soon” with “more information from key agencies related to the fire and recovery.”

“These meetings are in the planning stage,” according to the organization. “Stay tuned for more information.”

For additional information, including links to future meetings, visit the PPCC website.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Remaining zones under evacuation orders following the Palisades fire were amended on Monday, January 27, to allow all Pacific Palisades residents to return to their properties for the first time since the fire broke out on January 7.

Residents can now pick up an entry pass from Los Angeles Police Department and enter the Palisades independently between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Lot 3 Beach Access (1150 Pacific Coast Highway). A curfew remains in place from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of our public safety, public works and utilities partners—as of … [Monday, January 27] all of the Pacific Palisades will be opened for resident reentry,” Councilmember Traci Park said in a statement. “This is a watershed moment, and I want to thank you all for your patience to allow these workers to clear major hazards.”

Access along Pacific Coast Highway will be limited to residents only. Law enforcement will verify residency at the traffic control point on PCH at Carbon Beach for residents traveling east/south on PCH, as well as Chautauqua Boulevard and PCH.

Individuals in the Highlands were asked to be patient as there may be delays re-entering, as Palisades Drive only had one lane of traffic open, due to the rain.

The 23,448-acre fire destroyed over 6,800 structures and damaged over 1,000 others, according to CAL FIRE. The fire was at 95% containment as of Wednesday, January 29.

Contractors will also be allowed in the fire area to conduct assessment work.

“Contractors will be required to provide identification and proof that they have been hired by specific residents within the impacted areas,” according to CAL FIRE. “Contractors must report to the check-in area—Lot 3—to be granted access and will be provided a pass to enter.”

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Mayor Karen Bass and Chief Recovery Officer Steve Soboroff met on Monday, January 27, at Palisades Recreation Center to discuss recovery efforts.

Bass named Soboroff Chief Recovery Officer to lead the charge of the city’s response to the fire.

Soboroff—who lived in the Palisades and raised his five kids in the community—and Bass were joined by several members of the press, as well as local residents, including Pacific Palisades Community Council President Sue Kohl and Chair Emeritus Maryam Zar.

Standing in front of a plaque with his name on it for fundraising efforts for the park, Soboroff addressed those gathered to hear him speak.

“This community loves this community,” Soboroff said, adding that he has two clients: the people who reside in Pacific Palisades and those who work there: “Every one of them has an individual path back.”

He said that path has mental health and financial hurdles, but that he wants to help each one.

“We’re working a system for each one to minimize how long it takes to them to get to Z … it’s really from A to Z,” Soboroff said. “The only way to do that … it’s a huge project and there’s going to be thousands of people helping.”

Soboroff said that his initial conversations with agencies charged with aiding the recovery efforts, including FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, have been “as exciting” as conversations surrounding bringing places like Staples Center to fruition.

“Let’s go do this and let’s go do it together,” Soboroff said, before calling the present residents up to join him and Bass at the podium.

Soboroff and Bass took questions, including about the two phases of debris cleanup: first, hazardous household materials, which is now underway and being conducted by the EPA, and second, private property debris removal, which will be done by the Army Corps of Engineers or a private contractor hired by residents.

There were questions about timelines for cleanup, especially phase one, but Bass said it was “difficult” to provide an exact timeframe at this point in the efforts.

Bass and Soboroff then led a walk from the rec center to the Ralphs parking lot. While they walked, they both shared several ideas surrounding the next steps for Pacific Palisades, including rebuilding community hubs, like Palisades Branch Library, to draw the community back when things reopen.

When asked by Zar where a one-stop-shop with 12 agencies for permits and information that has been mentioned during several community meetings and town halls might be set up, Bass said the city wants it to be at the rec center, but they’re not sure they will be able to, as they want to get it running in the next week or two: “It will be located on the Westside until they can clear out the smoke. We want it here … as soon as we clear out the smoke—I don’t have a timeline on that, but it’s not going to be long.”

Some of the ideas Soboroff pitched were having a grocery store that lost its space, like Ralphs or Gelson’s, to set up a pop-up shop at the former Pharmaca space on Sunset Boulevard, which appears largely undamaged following the fire. Soboroff said he was in talks with Rick Caruso on rebuilding efforts as well.

He also said, pending the clearing of hazards, he would welcome the Fourth of July parade as soon as this year, and a “user-friendly” app is in the works for residents to use to access information about their properties and get questions answered.

The Palisades fire, which first began on January 7, has burned through 23,448 acres, destroying thousands of businesses and residences in its wake.

Soboroff is a former police commissioner and real estate developer. He also served as president of the city of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Commission.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Property owners in Pacific Palisades are now able to complete a form regarding the second phase of debris removal following the Palisades fire, with the form to opt in or out of the county-run program becoming available beginning Tuesday, January 28.

During a Palisades Fire Debris Removal Town Hall, which took place in person at Santa Monica College and online on Sunday, January 26, several area officials spoke about the process, noting that it would take place in two phases.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who represents Pacific Palisades, promised “quick, coordinated action” when it comes to rebuilding: “We cannot let government get in the way … we, in fact, must clear the way.”

The first phase—Household Hazardous Waste Removal—is managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under executive orders and is now underway. It involves “assessing and safely removing hazardous materials,” including paints, cleaners, pesticides, fuel, propane tanks, batteries and more from impacted parcels.

Assessments began on January 16, with removal beginning the week of January 27. Speaking on behalf of the EPA, Tara Fitzgerald reported during the town hall that it was estimated to take months to clear hazardous waste from the approximately 15,000 structures necessary between the Palisades and Eaton fires.

Residents can check the status of their homes and verify if the first phase is complete by visiting epa.gov/ca/2025-california-wildfires or calling 1-833-798-7372.

Phase two—Comprehensive Debris Removal Program—can begin at a parcel when phase one is complete. Residents have two options for phase two: opting-in to the county’s debris removal program, which is being led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Colonel Eric Swenson at no cost, or opting-out of the county-run program and hiring a private contractor.

“I move at the speed of trust,” Swenson said during the town hall. “I want you to trust the Army Corps of Engineers.”

Swenson noted that the process, while “not complicated,” is “a bit complex,” promising that residents will hear it “straight” from him: “I’m a transparent leader and I’m going to tell you the truth. You may not always like what I have to say, but it’s coming from the heart.”

The second phase includes clearing remaining structural debris, foundations that are deemed unsafe to rebuild on (a decision made by the property owner, which is suggested to be made after a site visit with an assessor), hazardous trees, damaged or destroyed vehicles, and up to six inches of soil within the ash footprint.

To opt-in to the county-run program, residents need to verify ownership of the property and complete a right-of-entry application (which will be revoked at the completion of the project) at recovery.lacounty.gov or by calling 844-347-3332. They can also be completed at a Disaster Recovery Center, with the Westside location open at UCLA Research Park West, 10850 West Pico Boulevard, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Opting out of the second phase of the debris removal program can also be completed at recovery.lacounty.gov. Property owners have until March 31 to submit their decision.

Congressmember Brad Sherman stated during the town hall that for those who opt-out and hire private, residents following the Lake fire paid, on average, $170,000 for the work: “You will be responsible for any costs of the removal that exceed your insurance settlement amount for debris removal,” according to the county website.

Those who opt out will be required to hire a private contractor who must meet “strict certification guidelines for hazardous material removal,” according to the county. “Once a property owner opts out, they cannot later opt in. Private contractors will file one permit managed by the county to ensure safety.”

Phase one and two will be underway at the same time across fire-impacted areas, but for each parcel, phase one must be complete before phase two can begin.

Officials encouraged homeowners to opt in or out as soon as possible, as the work will be prioritized to be distributed and completed in areas that have multiple parcels signed up. It will not be first come, first serve, officials described, but rather, if several homes in a neighborhood are signed up, they will be able to complete the work, as it makes the most sense for ingress/egress along haul routes.

Officials confirmed that during phase one, personal belongings—unless they post a direct hazard—would not be removed. The EPA confirmed it would report valuable items to agencies like Los Angeles Police Department to ensure they are returned to property owners.

With all zones of Pacific Palisades opened to residents only as of Monday, January 27, contractors are allowed in the fire area to conduct assessment work, according to LAPD Senior Lead Officer Brian Espin.

Contractors will be required to provide identification and proof that they have been hired by specific residents within the impacted areas,” Espin wrote. “Contractors must report to the check-in area (Lot 3 at 1150 Pacific Coast Highway) to be granted access and will be provided a pass to enter.”

Throughout the course of the town hall, officials responded to questions written on cards, as well as those spoken from the audience in person and in the chat online—with several residents venting frustrations about aspects of the process, including it being split into two phases and the lack of clear timeline.

Mayor Karen Bass will host a virtual community meeting on January 28 at 5 p.m. regarding debris removal and the right of entry form.

The full Palisades Fire Debris Removal Town Hall is available online. 

Two Weeks After Its Start, Containment Continued to Grow, Some Residents Able to Return

By SARAH SHMERLING and LILY TINOCO

The Palisades fire—which first began on Tuesday, January 7, in the Highlands—had reached 63% containment at press time on Tuesday, January 21.

The fire burned through 23,448 acres in Los Angeles County, prompting evacuation orders across Pacific Palisades, with additional evacuation orders and warnings expanding from Calabasas to Encino, Mandeville Canyon and Santa Monica.

“Firefighters are making steady progress, and officials are reassessing evacuation orders to ensure safe returns,” CAL FIRE wrote on January 21. “Crews are working with utility providers to repair infrastructure and address hazards like fallen trees and downed power lines. The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions.”

A Damage Inspections Dashboard, which includes a detailed map of inspected homes, became available on the CAL FIRE website on January 12. At print time, 857 residential, commercial and other structures were damaged, while 6,380 were destroyed.

Some neighborhoods—like the Alphabet Streets—were left decimated in the fire’s wake. It tore through other streets, like Las Casas Avenue and most of Marquez Knolls, especially closer to Sunset.

When it comes to other neighborhoods—like the Huntington—large swaths were leveled, but some streets, closer to Chautauqua Boulevard, had many homes spared.

Many sites, like Getty Villa, Eames House and Thomas Mann house, were reported to be unscathed at press time, while Will Rogers State Historic Park lost several buildings.

As the Palisadian-Post went to print, some stretches of the evacuation order had been opened to residents only, including the Highlands and Castellammare. Areas that were under evacuation order, with no residents permitted entry, at press time included the Village, Marquez Knolls, the Bluffs and Alphabet Streets neighborhoods. Santa Monica Canyon and the Riviera had all evacuation orders and warnings lifted at press time.

“Thank you all for your patience in this long road ahead,” Councilmember Traci Park wrote when people with proper identification were able to return to Castellammare on January 21, “and thank you to our first responders and public works workers that are working around the clock to get Palisadians back into their neighborhoods as quickly and as safely possible.”

The fire prompted a response from multiple agencies, including Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, CAL FIRE, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, National Guard and more. Firefighters were also present from Canada, Mexico and Israel.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

A Do Not Drink notice from Los Angeles Department of Water and Power remained in affect at print time for customers in the 90272 zip code, as well as portions of 90402. An interactive map to determine if an address is part of the notice is available at ladwpnews.com.

“A Do Not Drink Notice is issued when a water system experiences wildfire impacts and may have fire related contamination,” LADWP wrote. “As a precautionary measure, this notice is being issued until test data is available.”

Between print editions, stories are published online at palipost.com. Subscribers can reach out to mypost@palipost.com to set up online access.