Palisades Fire: Santa Monica updates mandatory Evacuation Order to Warning north of San Vicente Boulevard, lifts Warning north of Montana Avenue

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Jan. 13, 2025) – The city of Santa Monica Monday announced easing of evacuations within city limits, following an aggressive fire response in the Mandeville Canyon area and increased containment of the Palisades Fire over the weekend. 

Current evacuation information for Santa Monica as of 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13: 

Evacuation Warning: All areas of Santa Monica north of 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. This area was previously under evacuation order. 

Evacuation lifted: All areas from Montana Avenue north to San Vicente Boulevard 

All evacuated residents may return. There are currently no active fire threats to this area. This area was previously under an Evacuation Warning. 

An updated evacuation map can be viewed here. 

All entry points into the city of Los Angeles from Santa Monica and Pacific Coast Highway remain closed. The public is not allowed to enter Los Angeles evacuation zones, as they are still under evacuation orders. Find the full fire map here. 

The Santa Monica Police Department and law enforcement partners, along with personnel from the California National Guard, remain stationed at traffic control points around Santa Monica to assist residents with repopulating, monitor entry/exit points, secure evacuation zones in the city of Los Angeles, and ensure the safety of the surrounding community.   

A curfew is still in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in areas under a mandatory evacuation order and evacuation warning. In Santa Monica, this applies to the area from San Vicente Boulevard north to the city limit. 
 

Curfew orders are in place to protect evacuation zones from criminals who choose to loot or commit other crimes in these areas. These individuals will be arrested, booked and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.  

No curfew enforcement action will be taken against residents trying to repopulate the evacuation zone that was downgraded to an Evacuation Warning. For residents returning to warning areas, please carry current identification and minimize trips in and out as much as possible. If you see anything suspicious or disturbing, please call 911 immediately for life-threatening emergencies, or (310) 458-8491.  
 

Residents are asked for their patience as they return home. Evacuated areas may have potential debris and downed trees from high winds on the roads. Exercise caution when entering these areas. Call 911 to report down power lines or immediate threats to life or property. 

Helpful information from L.A. County on safe cleanup after a fire.  

“I am tremendously grateful for the improving conditions, all those who have fought and continue to fight on the front lines of this fire, and the Santa Monica community for following lifesaving evacuation instructions,” Mayor Lana Negrete said. “I am gratified to see evacuated residents allowed to return home and look forward to continuing to make progress and recover together as a community.”  

City Public Works teams have made quick 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, will begin today in the evacuation warning area north of San Vicente Boulevard.  

Those who have been impacted by the evacuation orders can apply for Individual Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. Visit DisasterAssistance.gov to get the process started. Use the FEMA app or call the FEMA Hotline at 1-800-621-3362 to learn more. The deadline for applications is March 10. 

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 Notice 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. 

Air quality levels are improving, but residents are encouraged to continue to exercise caution and monitor local smoke conditions. When unhealthy air conditions are in effect, stay indoors when possible, reduce unnecessary travel, and follow the guidance here for reducing your exposure outdoors and the guidance here for wildfire smoke and ash safety tips.  

View the latest air quality map at fire.airnow.gov. To stay updated with real-time/forecasted air quality, visit aqmd.gov.  

Beach water quality may be affected due to an unquantified amount of runoff entering the ocean during firefighting operations, as well as debris from fire-damaged homes along Pacific Coast Highway north of Santa Monica. This runoff may contain toxic chemicals and debris. Please avoid contact with ocean water.  

View the Los Angeles County Public Health Beach Water Quality Advisories for more information.   

Access to evacuated areas in surrounding communities is currently unavailable through Santa Monica. These areas remain unsafe for the public, and unauthorized entry puts everyone, including first responders, at risk. Access permissions and restrictions to evacuated areas in surrounding communities are controlled by the Los Angeles Police Department. For information on access permissions and restrictions, contact city of Los Angeles officials. 

The National Weather Service Red Flag Warning is in effect through Wednesday, Jan. 15. Wind gusts could reach up to 30 mph in Santa Monica and up to 50-75 mph in the mountain areas.   

The city will continue to monitor fire activity and has upstaffed fire resources in Santa Monica. Out of state firefighting reinforcements are in the area to support Palisades Fire efforts and Santa Monica is helping facilitate lodging and apparatus staging areas for fire teams fighting on the front lines. 

Residents are encouraged to continue to follow updates and sign up for SMAlerts for important safety information and follow the city on Facebook, X or Instagram for regular updates.  

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