LAPD Urges Residents to Stay Out of Palisades Fire Evacuation Zone, Provides Community Updates

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Los Angeles Police Department Senior Lead Officer for Pacific Palisades Brian Espin provided a community update regarding the Palisades fire on Friday, January 10, urging residents to stay out of the area. 

The Palisades Fire—which broke out on Tuesday, January 7—has burnt through 23,654 acres and is at 11% containment as of Saturday, January 11.

“Fire continues to burn actively with greatest rates of spread experienced on exposed ridgetops and drainages,” according to Los Angeles Fire Department. 

LAFD reported “critical” fire weather conditions were possible Saturday night, January 11, with weak northerly winds and low humidity. 

Because of the active fire, Espin explained, the Palisades is still under a mandatory evacuation order and individuals should not be in the area.

“It is still unsafe for people to be walking around in the neighborhoods,” Espin said. “I understand that everyone would like to retrieve their medications and check on their homes, but we are not able to safely sustain the sheer volume of residents that want an escort into the area … Our resources are stretched very thin.”

Though LAPD was previously providing escorts to homes to retrieve prescriptions, Espin said it put a strain on LAPD, LAFD and those working to patrol the area. 

As a result of the surge of traffic and individuals trying to get into the Palisades, Espin said police escorts into the evacuation zone will be halted, and only emergency personnel will be allowed into the area. 

“Please do not come to any checkpoints asking to access your residence as you will be turned away,” Espin said. “Please do not try and access the area by the beach as you will similarly be turned away.”

Espin said LAPD is working under the direction of Unified Command officials, and an update will be provided when individuals can re-enter the Palisades.

“I understand the frustration with having to wait for so long to get back to our homes to check on them, but in these unprecedented times we must prioritize our precious resources to focus on the ongoing threat,” he said. “We need to keep the area clear for our firefighters and our officers focused on supporting those efforts while also keeping an eye out for any potential looting, search and rescue efforts for missing persons, and protecting crime scenes in the event evidence of arson is discovered. We ask for your continued patience and support.”