July 20, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Palisades Fire Incident Update for January 15, Nine Lives Lost, Evacuation Zone Unsafe for Residents

Firefighters Continue Suppression Efforts, Damage Assessments Reveal Significant Destruction.

The Palisades Fire, which has scorched 23,713 acres, is now 21% contained, officials announced Wednesday evening. A Red Flag Warning in effect since last week concluded on Wednesday, January 15 at 6:00 p.m., but strong Santa Ana winds are expected to return Monday through Thursday, creating critical fire weather conditions.

During the morning press conference update, LA Fire Chief Kristen Crowley said, “We understand residents in areas less impacted by the fire and frustrated and want to return home. It’s not safe yet and all agencies are working tirelessly to remove hazards to allow for a safe repopulation plan. We will tell you immediately when it is safe.” 

Firefighters continue to build and strengthen containment lines while prioritizing safety. Specialized supplies such as masks, respirators, gloves, eye protection, and decontamination materials are being distributed to responders and civilians returning to affected areas.

Aerial imagery suggests that approximately 5,000 structures may have been damaged or destroyed. Damage assessment teams are working to confirm these estimates, with validated reports available at LA County Recovery.

In the city of Malibu,  Malibu Building inspectors are conducting rapid visual assessments; the number of damaged/destroyed structures within City limits is TBD. 35% of inspections complete.

All previously announced mandatory evacuations, with the exception of a few that have been released, are still in force. They are as follows:

Status: Immediate threat to life. The area is lawfully closed to public access.

  • DRY-U026-A, DRY-U026-C, LOS-Q0762, LOS-Q0762-A, LOS-Q0765, LOS-Q0767-A, LOS-Q0767-B, LOS-Q0778-A, LOS-Q0780, LOS-Q0781-A, LOS-Q0782-A, LOS-Q0782-B, LOS-Q0782-C, LOS-Q0798, LOS-Q1118, MAL-C111-A, MAL-C111-B, MAL-C112-B, MTN-U028, RRC-U027-A, RRC-U027-B, RMB-U030-A, RMB-U030-B, RMB-U030-D, RMB-U030-E, SDP-U029, SSM-U010-A, SSM-U010-B, TOP-U001, TOP-U002, TOP-U003, TOP-U004, TOP-U005, TOP-U006, TOP-U007, TOP-U008, TOP-U009

Per the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department: ALL EVACUATION ORDER and WARNING AREAS for the Palisades Fire are under CURFEW ORDER from 6:00 p.m. till 6:00 a.m..

  • To identify your evacuation zone please visit CAL FIRE’s 3D map and search for your address.

The following evacuation warning zones are still in force:

  • CAL-C405, CAL-C406, CAL-C407, CAL-C408, CAL-C409, CAL-C410, CAL-C411, CAL-C412, CAL-C413, CAL-C414, CAL-C415, DRY-U026-B, LOS-Q0406-A, LOS-Q0407, LOS-Q0751, LOS-Q0762-B, LOS-Q0764, LOS-Q0772, LOS-Q0779, LOS-Q0783, LOS-Q0800, LOS-Q1089, LOS-Q1115-A, LOS-Q1115-B, LOS-Q1119, LOS-Q1163, MAL-C112-A, MCR-U021-A, MCR-U021-C, RMB-U030-C, SAN-Q1395-B, SAN-Q1396-B

Per the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department: ALL EVACUATION ORDER and WARNING AREAS for the Palisades Fire are under CURFEW ORDER from 6PM till 6AM.

  • To identify your evacuation zone please visit CAL FIRE’s 3D map and search for your address.

As of 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, the following roads remain closed:

  • Piuma Road at Woodbluff Road
  • Malibu Canyon Road at Piuma Road
  • Mulholland Highway at Stunt Road
  • Topanga Canyon Boulevard at Mulholland Drive
  • Topanga Canyon Boulevard at PCH
  • Mulholland Drive at Trinidad Road
  • Entrada Drive at Topanga Canyon Boulevard
  • Coastline Drive at PCH

Interstate 405 (1-405)

  • Southbound Valley Vista Blvd. off-ramp closed.
  • The Southbound Skirball Center Drive off-ramp is closed.
  • At Getty Center Drive, access to northbound Sepulveda Boulevard is restricted.

State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway/PCH)

  • Southbound PCH closed at Sweetwater Canyon Drive. 
  • Northbound PCH closed at McClure Tunnel.

Interstate 10 (1-10)

  • Westbound I-10 closed at Lincoln Boulevard.
  • Westbound I-10 4th and 5th Street on-ramps closed.

State Route 27 (Topanga Canyon Blvd.)

  • Fully closed in both directions between PCH and Mulholland Drive

Road closure maps: 

Los Angeles County 

City of Santa Monica

City of Los Angeles

City of Malibu

Metro Los Angeles is providing free fares systemwide during wildfire conditions subside

Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner is offering $10 fares for travel anywhere between San Diego to San Luis Obispo is in effect until January 24.

Critical resources are being allowed into mandatory evacuation areas for repairs, but residents and the general public remain restricted.

All areas of Santa Monica north of San Vicente Boulevard remain under an Evacuation Warning. While residents are allowed to return voluntarily, they should remain prepared to leave if fire conditions deteriorate. No mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for Santa Monica, and there are no active fires within city limits.

Entry points into Los Angeles from Santa Monica and Pacific Coast Highway remain closed, as Los Angeles evacuation zones continue to enforce mandatory evacuation orders.

Santa Monica officials expressed gratitude to residents for their patience and understanding during the evacuations. “We are fortunate that fires did not cross into Santa Monica, and no homes or businesses were lost,” said Mayor Lana Negrete. “Our hearts go out to all those throughout the region facing catastrophic losses, including many of our city employees and local business owners.”

You can watch a video message from Mayor Negrete here:

A community meeting will be held to provide further updates:

  • Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025
  • Time: 6:30 p.m. PST
  • Location: Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024
  • Livestream: CAL FIRE IMT2 YouTube

For residents seeking information about missing pets, a dedicated hotline has been established at (213) 270-8155.

in News
<>Related Posts

Congressman Secures $14.5M for Westside, San Fernando Valley Projects

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The initiatives address wildfire mitigation, public safety, housing, and community services Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) announced that a key...

California Sues Trump Administration Over High-Speed Rail Funding Cut

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Newsom described the move as a “heartless attack on the Central Valley,” threatening jobs and livelihoods Governor Gavin Newsom announced...

City Launches Free RAMP Webinar for Small Businesses

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The online event aims to help small businesses tap into procurement opportunities across Southern California through the RAMP platform The...

Venice Family Clinic Slams HHS Funding Restrictions as Assault on Immigrants

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

HHS announced on July 10 that it would restrict access to programs like community health centers, Head Start, and other...

Former Hammer Museum Director Receives Getty Prize, Awards $500,000 to NPR

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Philbin’s tenure at the Hammer saw the launch of the Hammer Projects series and the Made in L.A. biennial, alongside...

Salt & Straw Celebrates Ice Cream Week with Strawberry Shortcake Waffle Cone Through the Weekend

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The item launched nationwide, available with any ice cream flavor or as an exclusive sundae featuring Strawberry Honey Balsamic ice...

LAX Metro Transit Center Boosts K Line Ridership, Overall Metro Sees Slight Decline

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The station completes the K Line, allowing continuous service from Expo/Crenshaw Station to Redondo Beach and enhancing regional connectivity through...

Santa Monica College to Perform “Seussical (Theatre for Young Audiences)”

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The 75-minute family-friendly musical, set in the Jungle of Nool, follows Horton the elephant as he protects a speck of...

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...