Palisades Fire: Santa Monica maintains evacuation orders, continues to assess active nearby fire

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2025) – The city of Santa Monica continues to monitor the Palisades Fire response and though firefighters made encouraging progress Sunday, current city mandatory Evacuation Orders and Warnings remain in place amid critical fire weather. 

Low humidity and dry conditions continue in the area. The National Weather Service’s Red Flag Warning, in effect through Wednesday, Jan. 15, indicates unpredictable and dangerous fire conditions. Wind gusts could reach up to 30 mph in Santa Monica and up to 50-75 mph in the mountain areas where the Palisades Fire is still actively burning. 

There are no active fires burning in Santa Monica. 
 

Evacuation instructions in Santa Monica as of 5 p.m. Jan. 12: 

Evacuation Order north of San Vicente Boulevard 

The area from San Vicente Boulevard north remains under mandatory evacuation order and public access is not allowed. 

Evacuation Warning north of Montana Avenue to San Vicente Boulevard 

Residents may voluntarily return to this area but should remain prepared with gathered essentials and be ready to leave the area if conditions worsen. These areas should continue to be vigilant and have evacuation plans in place.   

The Santa Monica evacuation map can be viewed here.  

A curfew is still in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in all areas under a mandatory evacuation order and evacuation warning. Santa Monica Police Department and California National Guard personnel remain present and visible in evacuation areas. Please heed all instructions from public safety officials. 

Evacuation orders and warnings are put in place when an active fire or anticipated fire conditions threaten life and property. For Santa Monica, the decision to implement or change an evacuation zone is made by the Santa Monica Office of Emergency Management, Police, and Fire Departments in coordination with the Cal Fire Incident Management Team and the city and county of Los Angeles.  

Fires can grow at a very rapid pace, as has occurred throughout the course of this emergency, with high winds carrying fire embers to new areas where spot fires ignited and spread. Evacuation orders and warnings will be lifted as soon as it’s determined that a fire is no longer a threat to the area. 
 

The city continues to monitor fire activity and an aggressive fire response is deployed in active fire areas. Out of state firefighting reinforcements arriving Saturday bolstered the Palisades Fire efforts overnight and all day Sunday. Santa Monica continues to facilitate lodging and apparatus staging areas for fire teams taking a much-deserved break from fighting on the front lines. 

“Thank you to all Santa Monica residents who were impacted by the evacuations for your patience and understanding as we continue to work in coordination with public safety leaders to protect the community amid a dynamic emergency situation,” Mayor Lana Negrete said. “I hope to see continued progress in the face of ongoing fire weather and hope to see conditions that can allow our evacuated residents to return home soon. I am tremendously grateful for the unrelenting efforts on the front lines to keep our community safe.”  

City Public Works teams have made significant progress on debris cleanup in previously evacuated areas and continue to work systematically through the city. Crews will cover every street and alley in the city, so residents are asked to please refrain from submitting individual 311 requests. 

Regularly scheduled city services such as street sweeping, trash pickup, tree cleanup, and other services began today in evacuation warning areas. Services in the area north of San Vicente remain suspended due to the mandatory Evacuation Order and will become available when the area is subject to an evacuation warning. 

If residents find large pieces of ash or debris around their home, they should let it sit and cool in a metal can for a few days, covered, then dispose in the black trash container. More information from LA County on safe cleanup after a fire.  

For Los Angeles Department of Water and Power water customers in Santa Monica (residents that live on Woodacres Road, Esparta Way, and Ermont Place north of San Vicente Boulevard), please view the Do Not Drink for Pacific Palisades and Surrounding Communities. For questions, call 1-800-DIAL-DWP.  

All other water customers within city limits are serviced by the city of Santa Monica water utility. Water serviced by the city of Santa Monica water utility remains safe to drink. 

City services will largely return to normal on Monday, Jan. 13, with smoke conditions easing in the region. Please find the most recent updates at Santamonica.gov. 

Residents are encouraged to sign up for SMAlerts for important safety information and follow the city on Facebook, X or Instagram for regular updates. Call 911 to report down power lines or immediate threats to life or property.  

For more information about donations, the latest on city events and facility closures, and continued Palisades Fire updates, visit Santamonica.gov.