PCH Finally Reopens Nearly a Month After the Devastating Palisades Fire

After being closed since January 7, 2025, due to the devastating Palisades Fire, Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) has officially reopened to through traffic. However, travel along the highway remains slow, with only one lane open in each direction and a strict speed limit of 25 miles per hour. On Monday, February 3, 2025, Santa Monica Closeup traveled along PCH from Santa Monica to Malibu Pier to document the ongoing recovery efforts. Initially, officials had planned to reopen the highway on Sunday, but concerns over crime and unauthorized entry into fire-damaged neighborhoods led to a last-minute decision to delay reopening until Monday. While PCH is now accessible between the McClure Tunnel and Carbon Beach, entry into the Pacific Palisades burn zone remains restricted to residents, authorized personnel, and contractors. Proof of residence or an entry pass is required for access. Traffic signals along the route are either on flashing red, requiring drivers to treat them as four-way stops, or are completely dark due to ongoing power outages. Law enforcement presence remains high along the reopened highway. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has taken over patrol duties from LAPD, actively monitoring traffic and issuing citations. This shift allows LAPD to reallocate resources and enhance service throughout the city. Additionally, National Guard troops continue to assist with security in restricted areas. Utility crews are making progress in restoring essential services to impacted communities. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is working to reestablish electricity, while SoCalGas is restoring natural gas lines. Frontier Communications and Spectrum are also working to repair telecommunications infrastructure. The Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, rapidly spread due to strong Santa Ana winds and prolonged drought conditions. The wildfire scorched more than 23,000 acres, destroyed over 12,000 structures, and forced 150,000 residents to evacuate from Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and parts of the San Fernando Valley. The disaster claimed at least five lives and left many others injured. High winds severely hampered firefighting efforts by grounding aerial support, allowing the flames to spread rapidly. Although recent rainfall helped extinguish the fire, it also introduced new hazards, including mudslides and debris flow. By January 27, evacuation orders were lifted, marking a major milestone in the recovery process. Cleanup crews remain focused on clearing debris, restoring utilities, and ensuring safe access for residents as they begin to rebuild their homes and businesses. ''''''''''''''''''''''' 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. ------------------------ 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