Los Angeles, CA – On the morning of January 7, 2025, a fast-moving wildfire, later named the Palisades Fire, erupted in the Santa Monica Mountains above Pacific Palisades, sparking widespread evacuations and threatening homes in one of Los Angeles’ most destructive blazes in history. Fueled by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds and severe drought, the fire exploded from 10 acres to nearly 3,000 acres by evening, prompting a state of emergency and leaving residents fleeing gridlocked streets.
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The Fire’s Outbreak
The Palisades Fire was first reported at approximately 10:30 a.m. PST on January 7, 2025, near 1190 North Piedra Morada Drive in Pacific Palisades, close to the Skull Rock Trailhead along the Temescal Ridge Trail in Topanga State Park. Initial reports indicated a small brush fire covering about 10 acres in the rugged hills north of the neighborhood. However, a combination of record-breaking drought—the driest nine-month period in Southern California history—and powerful Santa Ana winds with gusts up to 80 mph propelled the fire’s rapid growth. Within 20 minutes, it surged to 200 acres, and by 2:10 p.m., the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) reported it had consumed over 700 acres, with flames encroaching on residential areas.
Eyewitnesses described a sudden and terrifying scene. David Hansen, a local resident who evacuated his elderly mother near the Santa Ynez Reservoir, told CBS News he saw flames erupt near the site of the Lachman Fire, a smaller 8-acre blaze contained on January 1. “A thousand percent, it was the same spot,” Hansen said, noting the fire’s proximity to Piedra Morada Drive, roughly seven blocks from the earlier fire’s origin. Darrin Hurwitz, hiking near Skull Rock around 9:20 a.m., noticed charred vegetation and a faint smell of smoke but assumed it was residual from the Lachman Fire. By 10:30 a.m., flames were visible, and hikers like Beni Oren reported running from the trail as smoke billowed.
Investigators later suggested the fire may have been a rekindling of the Lachman Fire, potentially sparked by fireworks on New Year’s Day, though the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has not confirmed a cause. Satellite imagery from Sentinel-2 and Planet Labs showed smoke rising from the Temescal Ridge Trail area on January 7, supporting claims of a human-related ignition, possibly from fireworks, arson, or camping. Posts on X speculated about fireworks or arson, with some users citing an LAPD arrest in nearby Woodland Hills for bush fires, though no direct link to the Palisades Fire was established.
Rapid Spread and Evacuations
The fire’s explosive growth was driven by extreme weather conditions. A high-pressure system over the Great Basin created a steep pressure gradient, unleashing Santa Ana winds that funneled through canyons toward the coast. The National Weather Service recorded a peak gust of 38 mph in Pacific Palisades at 6:30 p.m., though earlier gusts reached 80 mph. Low humidity and dry vegetation from the previous winter’s growth exacerbated the fire’s spread, with CAL FIRE noting short- and long-range spotting—embers igniting new fires far from the main blaze.
By 12:03 p.m., the fire had reached 200 acres, crossing Palisades Drive and threatening Chastain Parkway East and Calle Brittany. Evacuation warnings were issued for zones including DRY-U026-A, MAL-C111-A, and TOP-U001, with mandatory orders soon following for Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and parts of Malibu. Traffic gridlock paralyzed Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard, with about 30 vehicles abandoned as residents fled on foot, some urged by firefighters to escape immediately. Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) was closed from McClure Tunnel to Topanga Canyon, and the 10 Freeway was restricted to essential traffic.
The fire’s advance forced over 200,000 evacuations across Los Angeles County, with curfew orders from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in affected zones. Malibu issued a citywide evacuation alert after midnight, and schools, including the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, closed. The Los Angeles Unified School District relocated Pacific Palisades schools and limited outdoor activities. Evacuation centers opened at Westwood Recreation Center, Pasadena Convention Center, and Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, with the Red Cross providing support.
Initial Response and Challenges
CAL FIRE, Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD), and Los Angeles County Fire Department mobilized over 250 firefighters by early afternoon, supported by air tankers dropping red flame retardant. However, high winds grounded aircraft at night, hampering efforts. A critical water shortage compounded the crisis: 20% of fire hydrants in elevated Pacific Palisades areas ran dry, as the Santa Ynez Reservoir, a 117-million-gallon facility, was offline for repairs to a cover tear noticed in January 2024. Former LADWP chief Marty Adams noted the system was designed for urban fires, not massive wildfires consuming hundreds of homes.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, visiting the fire zone with President Joe Biden, who was in Los Angeles for a national monuments event. Newsom assigned 65 fire engines, seven helicopters, and 109 workers, while Biden pledged federal aid. Vice President Kamala Harris, a California native, emphasized long-term recovery support. Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric cut power to 400,000 customers to prevent fires from faulty lines, leaving 17,000 without electricity by evening.
The fire threatened cultural landmarks like the Getty Villa, where staff activated fire doors and sprinklers, and destroyed much of Pacific Palisades north of Sunset Boulevard, sparing only Palisades Village mall. Early estimates reported 1,900 structures destroyed by January 8, later revised to 6,837, surpassing the 2008 Sayre Fire’s 604 structures. Smoke caused severe air pollution, prompting mask advisories.
Community Impact and Controversy
The fire’s rapid onset stunned residents. Krishan Chaudry saw flames from his backyard, describing their sudden appearance. Social media posts on X expressed fear and frustration, with some blaming human causes like fireworks or arson, though unconfirmed. Others criticized LAFD’s response, noting fewer firefighters than during the Lachman Fire, possibly due to standard protocols not anticipating rekindling after a week. LAFD’s Adam VanGerpen clarified that crews typically leave once a site is “cold,” but residents like David Valentine felt the response was inadequate.
The fire’s proximity to the Lachman Fire site raised questions about prevention. The San Francisco Chronicle reported Skull Rock Trail as a youth hangout where fireworks were a persistent issue, yet resource constraints limited police action. Mayor Karen Bass faced scrutiny for traveling to Ghana days before the fire, despite wind warnings, and for LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley’s decision not to retain 1,000 firefighters for a second shift on January 7. Bass later removed Crowley on February 21, citing deployment issues.
Critical Perspective
The Palisades Fire exposed systemic vulnerabilities. The empty Santa Ynez Reservoir and dry hydrants highlight infrastructure gaps, with experts like UCLA’s Greg Pierce noting water systems’ inadequacy for wildfires. The potential rekindling from the Lachman Fire suggests lapses in post-fire monitoring, as embers can smolder for weeks, though coastal brush fires rarely reignite after days. X posts claiming arson or fireworks, while unverified, reflect public distrust, amplified by the ATF’s focus on human causes like camping or trail activity. The fire’s $6 billion insurance exposure and lawsuits alleging power line involvement underscore the economic and legal stakes.
Conclusion
The Palisades Fire’s eruption on January 7, 2025, marked the start of a catastrophic 24-day blaze that killed 12, destroyed 6,837 structures, and burned 23,707 acres, becoming Los Angeles’ most destructive wildfire. Its rapid spread from a hiking trail, possibly reignited from an earlier fire, overwhelmed defenses and exposed gaps in preparedness. As investigators probe the cause, the fire’s early hours—marked by panic, gridlock, and heroic efforts—set the stage for a long recovery. The event, linked to your prior queries about Malibu’s debris flow risks, underscores Southern California’s vulnerability to cascading disasters.