Loss, Blame, and Reconstruction: The Blaze That Tore Through the Palisades

On Jan. 7, 2025, around 10:30 a.m., a devastating fire began in the Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles County. It would grow to destroy parts of the Pacific Palisades, an affluent neighborhood in Los Angeles (LA). The flames engulfed homes as the fire grew from 10 acres to more than 23,700 acres. Local authorities determined the fire was fully contained on Jan. 31, 24 days after it began. This made it the fourth-most destructive wildfire in California history. 

Palisades resident Jon Pennell recounted his experience on Jan. 7. He was on his way to work when he received a phone call from his wife, Lori Pennell, who had heard news that a fire had started in the Palisades Highlands. “She was on her way to work when she turned around and went back for our dog Annabelle,” said Pennell. It wasn’t until 4:26 p.m., just six hours after the fire’s initial reporting, when Pennell received the devastating news: His home was on fire. Pennell described, “We got a call from our neighbor across the street, she said, ‘I’m watching your house burn right now.’” He received footage via the neighbor’s Ring doorbell camera, which was both shocking and surreal, capturing the flames engulfing the house in real time. 

Pennell shared that he felt lucky in some ways; since he and his wife were renters, they didn’t face the additional financial burden of losing a home, a lifelong investment. Their landlord, however, lost six homes including his own — all on the same street. By the time it was fully contained, the Palisades Fire destroyed at least 10,000 structures in the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and areas of the Santa Monica Mountains.

In the days following the fire, support reached the Palisades residents. “We got a call from [Federal Emergency Management Agency]. They were wonderful. They were very helpful,” Pennell said kindly. Taking the first step towards recovery, residents who lost their homes made a home inventory for insurance purposes — “A laundry list of what was in the house,” Pennell joked. In addition to this, neighbors on their street came together and started a group chat to provide mutual support. 

Though not everyone lost their homes, the devastation of the Palisades, Hughes, and Eaton Fires was felt all throughout LA. “I was unsettled; my friends had just lost their house. It was unbelievable,” said Glenn Zoller, a resident of Brentwood, another neighborhood of LA. 

There is no definitive reason as to how the Palisades Fire began. Speculations surrounding the cause of the blaze were explored in a recent article published by the Los Angeles Times. The article focused on an earlier blaze, the Lachman Fire, which occurred on the same hillside as the starting point for the Palisades Fire. The Lachman Fire was reported at 12:17 a.m. and raged until 3:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day. According to the Los Angeles Times article, the theory that a hot spot from the Lachman Fire started the Palisades Fire was addressed by former Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, who told residents during a community forum last month, “We won’t leave a fire that has any hot spots. But with that, I will tell you that the investigation, the team that we have on board right now, will be able to determine whether or not that did indeed happen.” LAFD Assistant Fire Chief Joe Everett added, “That fire was dead out. If it is determined that was the cause, it would be a phenomenon.” 

The blame was not only placed on the Lachman Fire but also on the local government. “It felt like there were too many people blaming the governor or the mayor,” Zoller noted, “but the real problem seemed to be a lack of planning and preparation.” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass received criticism from the public due to her visit to Ghana to celebrate the inauguration of Ghana’s president, the weekend prior to the fires. The inauguration was held Jan. 7, but as the fires began to grow, Bass ended her trip and promptly flew back to LA. The irony of these complaints wasn’t lost on Zoller — despite living in an affluent area, the systems that were meant to protect the Palisades seemed woefully underfunded. “You know it’s LA, it’s the Palisades, it would never burn down,” he said, reflecting on the communal mentality beforehand. 

On Feb. 21, Crowley was removed from her position as LAFD chief by the mayor. Bass criticized Crowley by blaming her for lack of preparation in the days leading up to the Palisades Fire. The mayor condemned Crowley for failing to order the roughly 1,000 firefighters, who were wrapping up their shift, to stay on duty, the morning the Palisades Fire started on Jan. 7. Other fire officials in the area took preventive action, which was a common, albeit costly, precaution in situations when there was a high risk of fire.

LAFD immediately took to the scene on Jan. 7. As part of an annual contract between California and Canada, firefighters used Canadian water-bombing planes to combat the fire. Firefighters scooped salt water from the Pacific Ocean and dropped it over the Palisades. Because of this method, LA firefighters were able to combat the flames despite local hydrants running dry. 

Despite detrimental loss, LA as a community might learn from this tragedy. Pennell expressed hope that LA will rebuild more sustainably, commenting on the inadequacy of LA’s current infrastructure. Many Palisades residents hope for improved systems in the future, particularly when it comes to fire prevention.

It may even be possible to see some good in this situation. “The silver lining is the outpouring [of support] within and outside of the community for LA,” Zoller said, adding, “LA can be kind of a solo town, you’re in your car all the time, and maybe you know your neighbors, but it’s not famously friendly.” 

The devastation caused by the Palisades Fire has sparked conversation about the need for better planning and preparation, especially in affluent communities that can feel immune to this kind of disaster. However, the tragedy also serves as a reminder of the importance of community resilience. As LA starts rebuilding, there is hope that this disaster will lead to a more sustainable, connected city that is better equipped to face fires in the future.