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.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

To ensure the safe removal, transport and disposal of debris following the Palisades fire, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an order on January 15 that prohibits cleanup or removal of debris at fire damaged and burned properties until a hazardous materials inspection is completed by an approved government agency.

The County Fire Health and Hazardous Materials Certified Unified Program Agency, in conjunction with state and federal partners, will conduct a hazardous materials assessment of all burned properties.

Then, state and federal government will operate a program for the clean-up, removal and disposal of fire debris. Property owners may opt to have their properties cleared of the debris, or hire contractors to clear the property after the assessment—which requires additional approval.

When returning to areas impacted by the fires, Public Health urged individuals to take precautions to protect their health and safety.

“Ash, dust and debris—particularly from burned buildings—may contain toxic and cancer-causing chemicals, including asbestos, arsenic and lead,” LA Sanitation and Environment explained. “Ash, soot, dust and other airborne particles may have been deposited inside and outside of homes and businesses.”

The agency wrote that when it comes to cleaning up, do not use leaf blowers or other actions that will push ash up in the air. Instead, they said to try gently sweeping indoor and outdoor surfaces, followed by wet mopping. A solution of bleach and water can be used to disinfect an area.

It is recommended that individuals wear respiratory protection and protective clothing. Public Health suggested the use of an N95 disposable mask, gloves, safety goggles, long-sleeved shirts and closed-toe shoes. They also recommended showering regularly throughout the day when cleaning areas with ash.

Though areas like the Highlands, Riviera and Castellammare have been reopened for residents, LA County Fire Department reminded that several “critical” steps must be completed to ensure a safe return to areas affected by the fires.

LACoFD explained that fire hot spots must be fully extinguished, Urban Search and Rescue operations need to be completed, roads must be cleared of hazards—such as downed power lines and fallen trees—streets and road infrastructure must be repaired and deemed safe, and utilities—including water, electricity and gas—must be inspected for safety.

“Homes and other structures must be evaluated for fire damage, structural weaknesses and potential collapse,” according to LACoFD. “A red-tagged building means it is unsafe and cannot be entered. A yellow-tagged building means some areas may be safe, but only for limited use or specific purposes.”

For additional information, contact Los Angeles County Department of Public Health at 888-700-9995 or visit bit.ly/Wildfire_Recovery.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

As the multiple agencies battling the Palisades fire gain more control, local officials present plans and legislation for rebuilding and beyond.

Councilmember Traci Park, who represents Council District 11, including Pacific Palisades, introduced a package of 24 motions at the January 14 LA City Council meeting—its first day back following the Palisades fire—to establish a recovery plan.

“[The package] includes everything, from missing animals, to criminal activity, debris removal and small business assistance, to housing relief, and long-term financing for infrastructure and facilities,” Park explained during the meeting.

At the Palisades Fire Town Hall at Sinai Temple on Thursday, January 16, Park said “we may be looking at many months before we can even begin rebuilding.”

“I am committed to moving this as quickly as possible,” Park continued. “I introduced a package of legislation—more than two dozen motions—that will lay the framework for wildfire recovery here in Los Angeles.”

Among other things, Park said, the package called for an “outside, independent inquiry” and after-action incident review: “I think you all are entitled to transparent, clear answers about what happened with this fire. How did it start? What contributed to the causes? What went right? And what went wrong?”

“We are going to get to the bottom of those issues,” Park said, “and I am going to ensure that you have the answers.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order to “clear the way” for residents to rebuild their homes lost in the ongoing fires on Monday, January 13.

The order will coordinate debris removal from all impacted areas, uniting with the California Office of Emergency Services and other city, county, state and federal agencies.

“The debris removal program shall ensure clean-up occurs in compliance with all local, state, and federal hazardous materials and contamination regulations intended to protect human health and protect against groundwater and air contamination,” according to the order.

The order will also allow for a “swift” issuance of permits in all impacted areas, and direct city departments to expedite all building permit review/inspections—bypassing state CEQA discretionary review, waiving city discretionary review processes and allow rebuilding “like for like.”

The January 13 order will also direct the Department of Building and Safety to expedite approvals—known as temporary certificates of occupancy—for 1,400 units of housing across the city.

“This unprecedented natural disaster warrants an unprecedented response that will expedite the rebuilding of homes, businesses and communities,” Bass said in a statement. “This order is the first step in clearing away red tape and bureaucracy to organize around urgency, common sense and compassion. We will do everything we can to get Angelenos back home.”

Steve Soboroff—real estate developer and former police commission president, with decades of ties to Pacific Palisades—has been named by Bass as “chief recovery officer” for the city, which will entail working directly with Bass and various city departments to craft a strategy for rebuilding and allowing the safe return of residents, businesses, workers and other institutions to areas affected by the fires.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

One of the longtime institutions lost to the Palisades fire was Palisades Branch Library, located at 861 Alma Real Drive.

“Those of us from Pacific Palisades are still attempting to fathom the tremendous destruction that’s occurred in our beloved hometown,” President of Friends of the Palisades Library Laura Schneider wrote to community members on Wednesday, January 15. “The loss of so many homes, businesses and community institutions, such as our beautiful branch library, is nearly beyond our ability to comprehend. But as we deal with the shock of losing so much, we will move forward with the confidence that we will rebuild our lives and our community for the better.”

The board of the Friends of Palisades Library—also known as Pacific Palisades Library Association—met on January 14.

“The board of the all-volunteer Pacific Palisades Library Association—half of whom have lost their own homes in the fires—met yesterday and agreed that given the enormity of the loss our patrons have suffered, now is not the time to be asking you to contribute to our Pacific Palisades Library Association,” Schneider wrote. “However, since so many of you have asked, please know that the best way to keep your resources in our community is to visit our website. But please know that while your support is appreciated, right now our highest priority is your safety and well-being.”

Schneider reported that longtime Senior Librarian Mary Hopf is currently working from the West Los Angeles Regional Branch and can be reached at mhopf@lapl.org, as she is “ready to continue to serve as a trusted and kind informational resource for Palisadians.”

“We will rebuild our beloved library and we will work with every organization that we can—the Los Angeles Public Library, the Library Foundation and our local community stakeholders—to help restore the heart of our community,” Schneider continued.

The history of the Palisades library dates back to 1929, when Los Angeles Public Library established limited library services in the Palisades, with a deposit station on Antioch Street, before establishing a public branch library in 1952.

“The community embraced this extraordinary addition, but the popularity of the library created a need for an even larger facility,” LAPL wrote in a post shared across social media. “In the 1990s, the Pacific Palisades community launched a fundraising campaign in addition to supporting a citywide library bond … which led to the expansion of the Palisades Branch Library.”

In 1963, Palisades Branch Library opened its Alma Real Drive doors. LAPL established a larger, and new library building in the Palisades in 2003—a home to several books, media and special collections sprawled across 11,500 square feet.

Palisades Branch Library often hosts community events and workshops, inviting Palisadians to book discussions, movie screenings, meditation practices and more.

“The Palisades Library is at the very heart of our community,” according to the Friends, “and the Friends of the Library has been the primary means of support for the programs that have added so much to the civic life of Pacific Palisades.”

For more information and to stay up to date with the library, visit friendsofpalilibrary.org/Join-Friends.htm. Donations are being accepted for the future of the library and can be made online at friendsofpalilibrary.org/library-Gifts.htm. Checks can be mailed to West Los Angeles Regional Branch Library, 11360 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025, c/o Mary Hopf or Laura Schneider. After sending, email mhopf@lapl.org to confirm receipt.

Pacific Palisades Community Council will host a special meeting on Thursday, January 23, beginning at 6 p.m. on Zoom.

“The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the status of the devastating fire and to obtain information from our key elected officials,” PPCC wrote. “The meeting is public and open to all. There will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and comment.”

Officials confirmed to join the meeting at press time included Councilmember Traci Park, Mayor Karen Bass, Congressmember Brad Sherman, Senator Ben Allen, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Palisades Charter High School Principal Pam Magee and LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin and District Attorney Nathan Hochman.

“Following the officials’ remarks, we will then take written questions for the guest speakers posed in the meeting chat by attendees,” PPCC wrote. “Questions may be directed to a specific official or to all speakers for answers. The chat will be monitored and the questions will be read aloud to the officials. In the interest of time, duplicative questions will be combined into one question. Questions may also be submitted via email to info@pacpalicc.org no later than 12 p.m., January 23. We ask that the questions be respectful and focused on current needs and what we can expect from our government agencies as we move forward in attempting to rebuild our beautiful community.

“PPCC is an all-volunteer advisory organization, with the mission of providing a forum for consideration of community issues, advocating to government officials when there is community consensus, and protecting the quality of life in the Palisades. Our board members are grief-stricken and frustrated; we, along with other community members, hope and trust that ongoing investigations will eventually provide answers as to how and why this unprecedented catastrophic event occurred. That said, this meeting will not be a forum for blame, accusations or speculation about causes of the fire, but will instead be centered constructively on obtaining information about what lies ahead for us all.”

For more information, including a link to join the Zoom, visit pacpalicc.org.                    

—SARAH SHMERLING

When it comes to bank locations in Pacific Palisades, Wells Fargo, City National Bank, U.S. Bank and Citibank appear to be unharmed following the Palisades fire, while Bank of America, Chase and First Citizens Bank have sustained major damage.

Several readers have inquired about the status of security deposit boxes at the banks that sustained damage.

“Our thoughts are with the local Palisades community and all those impacted by these devastating wildfires,” Liz Shapiro with First Citizens Bank Corporate Communications said. “Our Pacific Palisades branch sustained major damage. Due to current conditions, we have not been able to assess the full extent of damage, and cannot speak to the conditions inside the branch vault or the safe deposit boxes at this time. Security is stationed adjacent to the site, and as soon as we are able, in accordance with law enforcement instruction, we will determine how to best access the vault and reach out to clients to provide an update.”

Clients were encouraged to direct any questions to the Palisades branch team, which has been temporarily relocated to its Santa Monica location at 401 Wilshire Street, with a phone number of 310-459-2372.

On behalf of Chase, Peter Kelley confirmed that the Palisades location also had security deposit boxes: “We’re still working to assess the damage with local authorities and actively communicating with customers.”

Bank of America did not respond to a request for comment by press time on Tuesday. Additional updates from all banks will be available online as they are received.

—SARAH SHMERLING

Zibby’s Bookshop in Santa Monica—owned and operated by Palisadian Zibby Owens—is giving away books to anyone who has lost their home in the Palisades fire or has been directly impacted.

“While we’re giving away our own inventory, we are also working with publishers and other companies to give away new books in other ways,” Owens explained. “Scholastic will be donating 1,000 new books to our shop, and Reese’s Book Club will be sending hundreds of their book club picks to give away.”

The shop is also launching a pop-up “store” through February 2 for those who lost their home and need clothes, with new merchandise available at no charge from 30 brands, including Citizens of Humanity, Lingua Franca and Draper James.

“We hope our store can be a place of solace in this disaster, and that the comfort of a new clothing item or the pages of a book can bring temporary joy in a time that feels only bleak,” Owens wrote. “We will also be there for the community in other ways as the days, weeks, months and years go on, and will be part of our community in the Palisades as it rebuilds.”

For more information or to sign up for a slot to receive clothes—which is required—visit zibbymedia.com.

—SARAH SHMERLING