Palisades Fire Updates

January 7, 2025 2:24 PM
by Tati Simonian

Last updated Jan. 8, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. Please check back for updates.

Santa Monica evacuation zones remain unchanged from yesterday evening:  

An evacuation *order* has been issued for Santa Monica above San Vicente Boulevard, between Ocean Avenue and 26th Street.  

An evacuation *warning* has been issued for Santa Monica between Montana Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard. 

Please continue to monitor city social channels – follow @santamonicacity on Facebook and X and @cityofsantamonica on Instagram. We will provide regular updates there.  

• If you’re in an evacuation warning zone, please be ready to go. Find information on how to prepare here: Wildfire Preparedness in Santa Monica. 
• Please check on your neighbors or elderly community members to help them be informed and prepared. 
• SMPD is patrolling for downed trees and power lines. Report downed power lines to 911 and downed trees to 311. 
• There are some power outages in Santa Monica. Report, monitor and get power outage tips at Southern California Edison's Outage Center.

Officials from L.A. County shared the following information with media and via a public livestream this morning related to the Palisades Fire:  

• It is currently at 0% containment 
• It has grown to more than 3,000 acres – exact acreage has not yet been provided 
• 400 LAFD firefighters have been deployed to the Palisades Fire 
• CAL FIRE has taken over managing the incident 
• Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District schools are closed today, as is Santa Monica College. Some LAUSD schools are also closed. 

Watch the full briefing here. 

Other important information: 

• High winds are expected to continue through today. Firefighters remain focused on monitoring conditions and protecting lives and property.  
• If possible, please stay off the roads in the affected areas to leave them clear for emergency personnel.  
• Santa Monica's Water Resources Division has confirmed that there have been no impacts to Santa Monica’s water supply or water quality from the Palisades Fire. Please conserve water to keep it available for Fire personnel. 

The city of Santa Monica continues to work with the Palisades Fire Command Post to monitor wildfire conditions. Visit emergency.lacounty.gov for more Palisades Fire information.  

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Evacuation ORDER: Immediate threat to life. This is an order to LEAVE NOW. The area is closed to public access.

An evacuation order has been issued between the northern border of the city and San Vicente Boulevard, between Ocean Avenue and 26th Street.

Evacuation orders are for the red areas on this map.

Emergency services are deployed to the impacted areas, including Santa Monica Police personnel assisting with evacuations. There is an increased police presence throughout the north of Montana evacuation zone.

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.

Suspended city services in this area: street sweeping, trash/recycling/bulky item/alley pickup.

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Evacuation WARNING: Potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets should leave now.

An evacuation warning has been issued for Santa Monica between Montana Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard. It is advised to prepare for a potential evacuation order.

The evacuation warning is issued for the yellow areas on this map.

Suspended city services in this area: street sweeping, trash/recycling/bulky item/alley pickup.

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The following street closures are in place until further notice:

• Westbound I-10 at Lincoln Boulevard and northbound PCH 
• Northbound Ocean Avenue, 7th Street and 26th Street at San Vicente Boulevard
• Access points for northbound PCH at Moomat Ahiko and California Incline

The following city facility and service closures are in place for Jan. 8:

• Annenberg Community Beach House
• All Santa Monica Public Library branches. The Main Library will remain open until 5 p.m. 
• Santa Monica Swim Center
• Reed Park Tennis Office
• Camera Obscura
• Downtown Farmers Market has been canceled
• BBB Route 9 service has been suspended.

City programming changes for Jan. 8: 

• All Recreation and Arts Department outdoor recreation activities, including pickleball, field permits, and all community classes have been canceled/postponed.
• Airport Artist Studios workshops have been canceled.
• The following Library events have been canceled: ESL Conversation at Pico Branch Library and Computer Basics - Online Safety at Main Library. The Library Board Meeting and Tech & Tasks at the Main Library have been canceled for tomorrow, Jan. 9. 

Memorial Gym and Fitness Room remain open, and the Housing Office is open with limited capacity.

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Residents are asked to avoid non-essential travel in northern portions of the city to facilitate evacuations and assist first responders. 

Residents are asked to turn off their scheduled sprinklers to preserve supply and maintain pressure for emergency services.

High winds are anticipated to continue at least through noon on Wednesday, Jan. 8. 

• Sign up for SMAlerts to receive any emergency information pertinent to the city. 
• Incident Information/Website: Alerts | Los Angeles Fire Department, Palisades Fire | CAL FIRE
• Evacuation Center: Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd, 90025
• Hotels in Santa Monica are offering specials for those who are evacuated. More information here.
• Air Quality monitoring found here.
• Cal Fire evacuation maps can be viewed here. 
• The Emergency Response Program provides low-barrier, safe and supportive 24-hour emergency shelter services as a result of severe weather or circumstances that pose an immediate danger to unsheltered individuals.

Authored By

Tati Simonian
Public Information Officer