The evacuation order for the neighborhoods closest to the devastating wildfire in Pacific Palisades was issued roughly 40 minutes after several homes had already caught fire, according to an analysis of emergency communications coupled with interviews from survivors.
The wildfire, which ultimately became one of the most damaging in California’s history, had begun rapidly spreading through ornamental plants and igniting homes by 11:27 a.m. on January 7, as recorded scanner traffic indicates. Many residents evacuated independently, prompted by the fierce flames racing over the hills nearby. When officials finally advised evacuations at 12:07 p.m., traffic had already become heavily congested.
Authorities later encouraged people to abandon their vehicles and flee on foot, subsequently using bulldozers to remove abandoned cars to allow fire crews easier access. Nonetheless, most Pacific Palisades residents managed to escape the crisis. This fortunate outcome was credited to the heightened fire awareness ingrained in the community, the prompt actions taken by first responders, individuals opting to evacuate early, and the fact that the fire broke out during daylight—when people were awake and engaged.
The delayed evacuation order contributes to multiple issues that complicated the wildfire response. Severe winds created barriers for aerial firefighting efforts, and water hydrants were soon emptied due to unprecedented demand. Nearby, a reservoir was out of commission for repairs. Decision-makers within the Los Angeles Fire Department reportedly chose not to deploy about 1,000 available firefighters and numerous water-carrying engines in advance of the fire.
These challenges pose risks to public trust in alert systems, which suffered from erroneous or outdated notifications later in the week. In response, many residents turned to Watch Duty, a nonprofit app that supplies real-time updates on wildfire situations, evacuations, and shelter information.
The wildfire virtually obliterated much of Pacific Palisades, a wealthy enclave nestled in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, resulting in at least ten fatalities. Simultaneously that evening, another fire broke out, ravaging Altadena and claiming at least 17 lives. As of now, over 80,000 people remain under evacuation orders, uncertain about the condition of their residences and belongings, while extensive firefighting efforts continue amid the devastation.
Darrin Hurwitz and his wife recognized the rapid advance of flames in the neighboring hills and decided to leave their home over an hour prior to receiving any evacuation notification. Their house, situated at the end of a cul-de-sac near Topanga State Park, was ultimately destroyed. Hurwitz remarked, “This would have been a different situation if it had been in the middle of the night. If it had taken 30 to 45 minutes to get our phones buzzing, it could have been a huge issue.”
Los Angeles officials from the fire department and emergency management were not immediately available to discuss the timing challenges surrounding the evacuation order. Yet, a spokesperson emphasized the department’s focus on addressing the ongoing disaster. In addition, the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management provided reassurances that alerts concerning fire conditions were sent out promptly and intended to keep residents informed and prepared for potential evacuations.
Emergency services began responding to the Eaton fire, which devastated Altadena, at 6:25 p.m. On the advice of aerial support, evacuation orders were issued shortly thereafter. By contrast, discussions regarding evacuation in Pacific Palisades occurred over an hour before an official order was dispatched.
On January 6, the National Weather Service had issued a red-flag warning due to the forecasted Santa Ana winds potentially reaching up to 100 mph (161 kph). Officials warned of a “destructive, widespread, and potentially life-threatening windstorm” beginning the following morning. Resident Robert Trinkkeller, recognizing the fire from his home at 10:27 a.m., immediately contacted emergency services. However, he experienced challenges with response times, as a 911 operator was initially unaware of the situation.
Diligently prepared for wildfire threats, Trinkkeller retrieved his gear and hoses, battling three instances of fire around his property using pool water after his hose supply ran low. “It was moving pretty quickly, and I knew it was going to be bad, but it turned out to be a hundred times worse than I could have imagined,” he said.
After hearing of the fire from Trinkkeller, Hurwitz swiftly gathered personal effects and pets, urging his wife, “We need to go.” By 11:03 a.m., they had left for an area that allowed them a wide view of the situation. Throughout his efforts, Hurwitz returned briefly to grab more belongings before eventually spotting extensive flames near their home, prompting him to escape toward a recreation center where his family was waiting. The relatively low casualty rate was attributed to both first responders and residents acting independently, he noted.
Hurwitz expressed concerns regarding the significant time taken to issue the evacuation order, stating that by 10:45 a.m., the imminent threat to the community was evident. Scanner recordings highlighted the efforts of firefighters in the Highlands neighborhood by 11:00 a.m., with further alerts about homes being threatened emerging soon after. At 11:27 a.m., reports indicated multiple residences were ablaze.
Previous experiences with fire evacuations had rendered the Palisades community aware of the potential for traffic issues, with only two functional roads leading from the Highlands. The community had consistently vocalized concerns to city council members regarding the heightened dangers posed by traffic jams during evacuations. In a matter of moments, vehicles became entangled in gridlock amid the chaos, forcing law enforcement to request drivers exit their cars.
Experts stress the importance of having comprehensive plans for wildfire communication and emergency evacuations. However, operational specifics can become overwhelmed by the rapidly changing landscape of a wildfire. Effective evacuation involves a nuanced understanding of factors such as population density, road access, and fire behavior, as remarked by fire protection engineer Eric Link. With the persistent threat of fire and earthquakes in the region, community leaders like Maryam Zar are acutely aware of their precarious situation. While it may not be feasible to streamline evacuations in such an urgent scenario, she acknowledged the impressive outcomes in saving lives during the encounter, stating, “The fact they managed to evacuate the entire community is remarkable.”
