A significant fire erupted in Pacific Palisades on the morning of January 7, 2025, following a 911 call at 10:29 a.m. from a local resident on Piedra Morada Drive. High winds fanned the flames as they flickered over a nearby chaparral-covered ridge, raising immediate concerns for the safety of the area.
Within 11 minutes of the initial call, Engine 23 of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) radioed dispatch to report their location on Palisades Drive, indicating they were en route to the fire site. However, it would take more than 18 minutes from the time of the 911 call for Engine 23 to reach the scene. This delay was compounded by a lack of pre-deployed firefighting resources, as LAFD officials had opted not to station additional engines in the area despite warnings of severe winds that were expected to create a high fire hazard.
The National Weather Service had flagged the Palisades, along with other regions such as the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood, as areas of "greatest concern" due to the impending windstorm. However, LAFD’s decision to forgo pre-deployment of engines meant that when the fire ignited, the nearest crews were stationed at least three to four miles away, significantly hindering their ability to respond swiftly.
As the fire spread, it quickly became uncontrollable. By the time engines from nearby stations arrived, nearly 7,000 structures had been destroyed, and at least 12 lives were lost. Fire officials noted that if more engines had been positioned closer to the fire-prone areas, they could have potentially detected the blaze while it was still manageable.
The LAFD typically has 18 firefighters on duty at Stations 23 and 69, but only 14 are usually available for brush fires, as four are assigned to ambulances. This limited availability contributed to the department’s struggle to mount an effective response to the rapidly escalating fire.
Former LAFD officials criticized the decision-making process leading up to the fire, arguing that the department could have deployed additional engines to patrol the hills and canyons, especially in light of the recent New Year’s Day fire in the same area. They highlighted that the conditions were ripe for a rekindle from smoldering embers left from that earlier blaze, which could have been caught if engines had been present.
In the aftermath, LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley faced scrutiny for her department’s response and the decision not to call in additional firefighters to cover shifts or to stage extra engines in high-risk areas. Critics argue that the lack of preparation and resources contributed directly to the severity of the fire and its devastating impact on the community.
The investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing, with authorities examining whether it was ignited by rekindled embers from the previous fire. As the community grapples with the aftermath, questions remain about how to prevent such tragedies in the future and ensure that adequate resources are available to combat wildfires in vulnerable areas.