Pacific Coast Highway Remains Closed to Public Ahead of Storms

Sections of the Palisades Also Remain Closed to the Public Following the Fire

By SARAH SHMERLING and LILY TINOCO

Pacific Coast Highway was closed from Chautauqua Boulevard in Pacific Palisades to Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu in response to and ahead of storm systems in the area.

The highway reopened one lane in each direction at reduced speeds to the public on February 3 for the first time since the Palisades fire started on January 7 before closing again on February 4 at 3 p.m. ahead of storms in the area that week.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the highway must be closed due to soft soils on both the hill and ocean sides of the road,” Caltrans wrote in a statement. “Mud and debris flows may occur and canyons may overtop, blocking the road or causing further damage.”

Assessments of the road and the potential to reopen were made on Friday, February 7, by Caltrans and Los Angeles County Public Works Department when it was determined that PCH would remain closed “until further notice for safety.”

“Debris flows occurred during this week’s storms, including a significant slide north of Big Rock Drive,” Caltrans reported February 7. “A geotechnical assessment observed slippage along the hill below Porto Marina Way. Slides may also occur in between storms, after the soil has been softened. Additionally, the National Weather Service has predicted moderate risk of heavy rain for February 12 through 14. LACPW’s debris basins are 80% full and must be cleared in advance of next week’s storms.”

Due to the rain, from Thursday, February 13, at 7 a.m. to Friday, February 14 at 2 p.m., the Palisades area will be limited to residents only, according to an emailed statement from Mayor Karen Bass: “Contractors with passes will not be allowed entry, and contractor access passes will not be distributed on Thursday of Friday.

Otherwise, throughout the closures, essential workers—including first responders, recovery agencies and utility companies—have been able to access PCH, with Palisades residents able to access their properties via Chautauqua Boulevard with access passes.

“The following work will be taking place along PCH during the closure: Contractors must place steel plates to protect the slope along Porto Marina Way,” according to Caltrans. “LACPW is hauling out debris. Emergency workers continue clearing debris from the highway. Placement of k-rail at key locations.”

The Palisades fire was declared fully contained on Friday, January 31, and damage inspection teams have completed inspections for all structures within the fire footprint, according to the CAL FIRE website.

The fire started on January 7 at 10:30 a.m. in the Highlands. It is now reported to have burned 23,707 acres.

A total of 6,831 residential and commercial structures have been destroyed as a result of the fire, and an additional 973 have been damaged, according to CAL FIRE.

The Palisades fire prompted evacuation orders the Palisades. Remaining evacuation orders were adjusted on Monday, January 27, so that all residents were able to return to the area.

After community members and stakeholders across the Palisades pushed back against a plan to reopen the area and PCH to the general public on Sunday morning, February 2, at 8 a.m., Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass announced that the plan was amended and PCH’s reopening was delayed one day.

Bass and other city officials first reported during a virtual town hall on Friday, January 31, that the Palisades and PCH would reopen to the general public following the Palisades fire—though “local traffic only” was still encouraged.

Following the meeting, the California National Guard was going to begin winding down its operations over the next 72 hours, being replaced by a “true surge” of six Los Angeles Police Department. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said the department was working to balance the needs of the 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 was reassessing where to place its resources.

Newsom reported on Saturday, February 1, that additional state law enforcement resources would be deployed to Los Angeles to maintain checkpoints and keep the Palisades closed to non-residents. He also directed the National Guard to remain on standby for rapid deployment—“if conditions require.”

Editor’s note: This story was updated a Thursday, February 13, at 10:15 a.m. with information regarding contractor access on February 13 and 14.