𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗯𝘂: Documenting Progress After Devastating Palisades Fire

On Monday, January 20, 2025, Santa Monica Closeup surveyed the ongoing recovery efforts along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from Santa Monica to the Malibu Pier. The highway, closed to the public, remains a critical hub for operations focused on rebuilding and securing areas devastated by the Palisades Fire. As part of the repopulation process, Los Angeles Police officers escorted convoys of residents to the Pacific Palisades Highlands. Residents first gathered at Parking Lot 3 North in Santa Monica, where LAPD officers verified their identification to confirm residency before granting access to their homes in the affected area. In Malibu, recovery crews were hard at work addressing the extensive damage left in the fire’s wake. Under the supervision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 9, Absolute Tree Surgeons removed burnt trees from Topanga State Park, while hazmat technicians from GrayMar Environmental Services, Inc. (GrayMar) worked on cleaning up completely destroyed properties, including the Malibu Feed Bin. Utility crews from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) worked diligently to restore electricity. Simultaneously, The Gas Company and SoCalGas teams re-energized gas lines for homes and businesses, while Frontier Communications and Spectrum replaced damaged fiber optic cables to restore essential communication services. CAL FIRE and fire departments from across the country were seen driving through the area, highlighting the widespread support and coordination needed for such a large-scale recovery operation. Security remains a top priority in the evacuation zone. National Guard Military Police manned checkpoints to regulate access, allowing entry only to first responders, utility workers, and authorized press. These measures ensure recovery efforts proceed without disruption. The Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, scorched more than 23,000 acres, destroyed over 12,000 structures, and displaced over 100,000 residents across Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu. The scale of devastation underscores the importance of the recovery teams’ efforts, which are critical to clearing debris, restoring utilities, and making the area safe for residents to return and rebuild. As operations continue, the collective work of local, state, and federal agencies, along with specialized crews, highlights the resilience and determination of the community to recover and rebuild. ''''''''''''''''''''''' Fabian Lewkowicz, an award-winning accredited photojournalist and press photographer based in Santa Monica, is renowned for his captivating imagery and storytelling. As the creator of Santa Monica Closeup, he draws on years of experience with local media outlets like the Santa Monica Daily Press and The Corsair to capture iconic moments in the city's history. Santa Monica Closeup is a visual chronicle of the vibrant and diverse community of Santa Monica, brought to life through Fabian's seasoned lens. With deep roots in the city, he offers an authentic and intimate glimpse into everyday life, crafting compelling videos that resonate with both locals and visitors alike. Fabian's photographs have been showcased in a wide range of venues, from museums and art galleries to hospitals, department stores, banks, and public institutions like fire and police stations. His photography captures the essence of Santa Monica, portraying everything from its breathtaking landscapes and stunning sunsets to its unique culture and diverse community. Support Santa Monica Closeup by making a One Time Donation via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz Make a One Time Donation via Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santamonicacloseup Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SantaMonicaCloseup Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/smcloseup Join this channel to gain access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqrlnKSQlVU42TEn_-PAtWw/join For licensing this video email: [email protected] TAGS: Photojournalism, Photojournalist, Documentary, Cinema Verite, Fly-on-the-wall, Observational Photography, Press Photography, SMCU, SM©U 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝘀𝗲. 𝗔𝗻𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗿𝗲-𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱. © 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘄𝗸𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗰𝘇/𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱.