LOS ANGELES — The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) reopened on Monday, almost a month after being shut down due to the devastating Palisades Fire that swept through hillside neighborhoods in Los Angeles, affecting properties all the way down to the coastal area.
Traffic resumed on this picturesque route starting at 8 a.m., but with restrictions including only one lane available in each direction and a reduced speed limit stretching from Santa Monica to the Ventura County border.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath advised in a statement that only essential traffic is recommended at this time. Continued cleanup efforts and utility restorations are underway, and Horvath cautioned that “this will not be the same PCH as before the fires.”
To enter the Palisades burn zone, residents are required to show proof of residence or obtain entry passes.
A partial reopening of the highway occurred on Sunday for the northernmost section in Malibu. However, the reopening of the remaining section in Pacific Palisades was postponed as city officials made a last-minute decision to maintain checkpoints for public safety and to prevent looting concerns.
In a statement, Mayor Karen Bass noted that the Los Angeles Police Department will transfer the management of access to the Palisades area to the California Highway Patrol and the National Guard. This change will allow the LAPD to enhance its service throughout the city, which had been constrained for nearly a month due to the situation.
“We continue to adapt in real-time to this dynamic situation. This plan secures the Palisades and alleviates the burden on LAPD, allowing for better response capabilities across LA,” Bass stated.
Rain is expected to start on Tuesday, and Horvath indicated that the highway will be closely monitored for potential hazards like mudslides and debris flows.
The Palisades Fire ignited on January 7 amid strong winds, ultimately causing destruction or damage to nearly 8,000 homes, businesses, and other structures, claiming at least 12 lives. A separate, wind-driven fire erupted the same day in Altadena, leading to the deaths of at least 17 people and affecting over 10,000 homes and other buildings.
Both fires were finally reported as fully contained by the end of last week.
