Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Containment Effort

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Crews to Contain Palisades Fire as Gusty Winds Return

Fire crews will reach a critical stage in their attempt to contain the Palisades Fire on Sunday, as conditions are expected to worsen as the week goes on.

Blaze Pushes East, Crews Limit Damage

The blaze, already one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles, made a vicious push east on Saturday as it darted toward Brentwood and burned down a home in the Mandeville Canyon. Crews limited the damage to the neighborhood, however, and stopped the blaze’s advancement.

Fire Update: 23,654 Acres, 11% Contained

As of the latest Cal Fire update at about 9 p.m. Saturday, the Palisades Fire stood at 23,654 acres and was 11% contained.

In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, homes burned from the Palisade fire smolder near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on January 9, 2025. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Devastating Damage, Thousands Displaced

The damage, which includes more than 5,000 destroyed structures and at least two deaths, has been devastating. The historic neighborhood of the Pacific Palisades was nearly burnt completely to the ground as thousands of families are figuring out what to do next.

High-Speed Winds, Dry Humidity Ahead

The threat is not gone, however. The next several days, starting Sunday, will be marred by critical fire weather, according to the National Weather Service.

Dry humidity paired with high-speed winds to the northeast could continue the fire’s expansion toward the San Fernando Valley, which could provide untold damages to one of L.A.’s major population centers. But fire departments from Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Texas, and even Mexico are now in Southern California to help battle the blaze.

Evacuation Zones Remain in Place

Evacuation zones remain unchanged on Sunday from Saturday. They include the Pacific Palisades to the Pacific Ocean and included areas of Santa Monica, Malibu, and Topanga. Residents and businesses in Calabasas and parts of Tarzana and Encino remained under an evacuation warning on Sunday morning.

UCLA Remains Open, Students on High Alert

UCLA students have been told to remain on high alert, although campus remains open for the time being.

Road Closures Announced

Officials closed several exits along the 405 Freeway. They include:

  • Getty Center Drive off-ramps in both directions closed.
  • Skirball Center Drive off-ramps in both directions closed.
  • Southbound Sunset Blvd. off-ramp closed.
  • Southbound Wilshire Blvd. off-ramp closed.
  • Southbound Santa Monica Blvd. off-ramp closed.
  • Southbound Olympic/Pico Blvd. off-ramp closed.

Tensions Between City Officials Evident

While crews battle the fires, raising tensions between city officials remain apparent. In a news conference on Saturday, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass noted that she and LAFD Fire Chief Kristin Crowley have had “differences.”

“We need to stay focused, but I will say that when the fires are out, make no mistake, we will have a full accounting of what worked and especially what did not,” Bass said. “Let me be clear about something, the fire chief and I are focused on fighting these fires and saving lives, and any differences we might have will be worked out in private, but right now, our first and most important obligation is to get through this crisis.”

Bass did not go into detail on the “differences,” but LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley previously stated in an interview that city leadership failed her department by not providing enough money for firefighting and that the city was not prepared for disaster at this scale.

Conclusion

The Palisades Fire remains a major threat to the city, with critical fire weather expected to continue through the week. Fire crews will continue to battle the blaze, and evacuation zones will remain in place. As the city navigates this crisis, tensions between city officials have come to the forefront. It is crucial that they work together to contain the fire and provide support to those affected.

FAQs

* What is the current size of the Palisades Fire?
The Palisades Fire is currently 23,654 acres in size.
* What is the containment level of the fire?
The fire is currently 11% contained.
* What are the evacuation zones for the Palisades Fire?
Evacuation zones include the Pacific Palisades to the Pacific Ocean and included areas of Santa Monica, Malibu, and Topanga, as well as parts of Tarzana and Encino.
* Are there any road closures in place?
Yes, several exits along the 405 Freeway are closed, including Getty Center Drive, Skirball Center Drive, Southbound Sunset Blvd., and more.

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