Palisades Fire Latest: Evacuation Orders Lifted Monday Evening

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — Firefighters continued to make progress on the Palisades Fire Monday evening, and were set to lift all evacuation orders at 6 p.m. Monday evening. Los Angeles County Fire Department announced residents will need to show ID or Topanga Access Card to reach Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

"As a result of successful firefighting efforts, all evacuation orders in Topanga will be lifted at 6pm," the agency said. "Topanga Canyon Blvd. will be open to residents only, starting at 6pm. Be prepared to show ID or Topanga access card. Thank you for your patience."

Los Angeles Fire Department said the fire was had burned at least 1,325 acres as of Monday morning, although Mayor Eric Garcetti said the actual radius is likely larger.

Margaret Stewart of the LAFD said the fire was 25% contained as of 5 p.m. Monday night. No buildings have been damaged, and the only injury reported was a firefighter who suffered a minor eye injury.

A man suspected of sparking the fire was arrested Sunday afternoon. The man was taken to the hospital with minor injuries related to smoke inhalation and remains in custody.

Other details about the man weren't immediately available.

Residents shared cell phone footage of the fire on social media.

Small part of the #PalisadesFire from the Palisades Highlands :( pic.twitter.com/JOU0hODjEK
— Megan Herzlinger (@MeggsHerzy) May 16, 2021

LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas said a fire this large sparking so early in the year amid relatively favorable conditions is an ominous sign for the 2021 fire season.

"Yesterday when I woke up, it was raining out here," Terrazas said. "And the fire is still burning. That's unusual fire behavior. Our relative humidity was 60%, our wind speed was under 10 mph, but we still had an active fire. That tells you that the drought, the years that have gone by since the last fire, have changed the equation. We have to all work together."

Residents who live east of Topanga Canyon between the Community House and View Ridge were ordered to evacuate, along with residents who live north of Entrada, south of Oakwood and east of Henry Ridge. Evacuations were listed at 6 p.m. Monday evening.

Topanga Elementary Charter School, at 22075 Topanga School Road, was temporarily closed due to air quality and safety concerns caused by the Palisades fire, the Los Angeles Unified School District reported.

Councilmember Mike Bonin thanked the firefighters for their work against the fire during a Monday morning press conference with LAFD, although his words were hard to hear over boos and chants of "Recall Bonin" from people unhappy with his plan to turn part of Will Rogers State Beach parking lot into a secure campsite for homeless residents.

"We have had over the past several years a number of major fires here in the Santa Monica Canyons, in the hillsides of this district," Bonin said. "Each fire has been different, each fire has presented unique circumstances, and each time we have seen the men and women of LAFD and sister agencies take to the task with bravery, and steely determination."

Although weather has been cool and damp, Margaret Stewart of LAFD said the blaze was located in "difficult terrain" in three hot spots, including a main fire, the original fire, and a small spot fire. Los Angeles County fire officials reported that after the marine layer blew in, the visibility became too poor for fixed-wing aircraft, which had been productive. The planes once again took to the air Monday afternoon as visibility improved.

Operations Chief Albert Ward said helicopters were able to keep the fire from crossing into Topanga Oaks, thanks to roads on the western side of the blaze that gave firefighters a strong point of attack.

"We were able to hold that road system and keep that fire from crossing Topanga Motorway," Operations Chief Albert Ward said. "The eastern side of the fire is a little more rugged, not as many road systems or opportunities to hold the fire. We're creating those features, and trying to hold the fire. A lot of the smoke you're seeing currently is from this side."

Ward also pleaded with residents attempting to return to their homes to stay patient and avoid the area while LAFD works to contain the fire.

"Anytime there's a life threat we have to start dealing with, it takes away from the mission of fighting the fire. All around the whole perimeter, please be respectful and stay away if you don't need to be here."

READ MORE: Palisades Brush Fire Scorches 1,300+ Acres, Arson Suspect Sought

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City News Service contributed to this report.