Residents Above San Vincente Blvd Between Ocean and 26th St. Must Evacuate Immediately
The City of Santa Monica has issued an evacuation order for residents above San Vicente Boulevard, between Ocean Boulevard and 26th Street, due to the advancing Palisades Fire. Residents in the affected area are urged to use Wilshire Boulevard to evacuate immediately.
An Evacuation Warning has been issued for all areas north of Montana to San Vicente. Evacuation Warning: Potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.
“It is imperative that residents follow evacuation orders for their safety and the safety of our community,” Mayor Lana Negrete said. “The city of Santa Monica is closely monitoring this very dynamic and changing situation and our hearts go out to all who are affected. I also want to express my deepest gratitude to the first responders who are working tirelessly on the front lines of this emergency.”
Emergency services are deployed to the impacted areas, including Santa Monica Police personnel assisting with evacuations. We urge all residents to follow police instructions immediately and without hesitation. These orders are issued to protect lives and ensure the safety of everyone in the community.
The Santa Monica-Malibu School District announced at 9:52 p.m. that all Santa Monica and Malibu schools will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 8, due to the Palisades fire, concerning weather conditions, questionable air quality, road closures, and evacuations. Essential emergency staff and maintenance & operations staff should report for duty and check in with their supervisors, as the emailed press release from Superintendent Antonio Shelton stated.
Some city services in this area are suspended until further notice: street sweeping, trash/recycling/bulky item/alley pickup, and the Montana Branch Library.
Free Big Blue Bus transport to the Palisades Fire evacuation center at Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd, 90025, will be available starting at 8 p.m. Buses will leave hourly.
To support evacuation efforts in the Palisades area, several closures and service adjustments are in place until further notice:
- Road Closures:
- Westbound I-10 at Lincoln Boulevard and northbound PCH
- Northbound Ocean Avenue, 7th Street, and 26th Street at San Vicente Boulevard
- Access points to northbound PCH at Moomat Ahiko and California Incline
- Facility and Event Closures:
- Annenberg Community Beach House
- Downtown Farmers Market, scheduled for January 8
- Transit:
- Big Blue Bus Route 9 service is suspended.
Residents are advised to avoid non-essential travel in northern Santa Monica to aid evacuation efforts and assist first responders. High winds are forecasted to peak starting at 10:00 p.m.
