LOS ANGELES — The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) has officially reopened as of Monday, marking nearly four weeks since it was shut down due to the destructive Palisades Fire that swept through the hilly neighborhoods of Los Angeles. The blaze led to significant property damage, reaching all the way to the beachfront areas.

Traffic resumed on the picturesque coastal route at 8 a.m., albeit with only a single lane available in each direction, and a speed limit in effect from Santa Monica heading northwest to the Ventura County boundary. In a statement, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath emphasized that only essential traffic should be encouraged at this time. Ongoing cleanup efforts and utility repairs are still in progress, and Horvath cautioned that the PCH will not be the same as it was prior to the fire incident.

Residents and authorized personnel are currently required to show proof of residence or obtain entry passes to access the burn zone in the Palisades area. The highway had previously opened partially on Sunday morning, specifically in the northern Malibu section. However, the complete reopening of the remaining section in the Pacific Palisades was postponed as city officials opted to maintain checkpoints in light of public safety concerns, including potential looting.

In a response to the situation, the Los Angeles Police Department will hand over the responsibility for managing access to the Palisades to the California Highway Patrol and the National Guard. This transition is expected to alleviate some of the pressure on the LAPD, allowing them to better serve the rest of the city. Mayor Karen Bass confirmed this in a statement, stating that the city continues to adapt to the evolving circumstances.

Looking ahead, rain is expected to arrive starting Tuesday, prompting monitoring of the highway for potential hazards, including mudslides and debris flows, according to Horvath. The Palisades Fire ignited on January 7 amid powerful winds, resulting in the destruction or damage of nearly 8,000 homes, businesses, and other structures, tragically claiming the lives of at least 12 individuals. On the same day, another fire fueled by the winds ignited in Altadena, east of Los Angeles, leading to 17 fatalities and damaging over 10,000 structures. Both fires were finally declared fully contained by the end of last week.