𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗕𝗨: Power Poles Installed in Malibu as Recovery Efforts Ramp Up After Devastating Fire

On Thursday, January 16, 2025, Santa Monica Closeup took a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway to observe the ongoing recovery efforts following the devastating Palisades Fire. Along the scenic route in Malibu, linemen from Southern California Edison were busy installing new 55-foot power poles, a critical step in restoring electricity to the area. Nearby, crews from SoCalGas worked diligently on gas pipeline abandonment, an essential safety measure to decommission and safely disconnect pipelines damaged by the fire. The pipeline abandonment process involves digging trenches and holes to ensure all natural gas traces are removed, preventing potential future hazards. This meticulous work highlights the multifaceted approach to recovery in the fire-impacted areas. Meanwhile, CAL FIRE crews were seen clearing trees and shrubs along the Palisades Bluffs overlooking the Pacific Coast Highway. This effort is part of a larger mission to reduce fire hazards and enhance public safety. Assisting CAL FIRE were teams from Caltrans and the City of Santa Monica, who helped with debris removal and disposal. In a separate incident, Santa Monica firefighters responded to a sheared fire hydrant spraying water high into the sky after being struck by a work truck. Firefighters successfully turned off the water, but the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power faced a setback in reinstalling the hydrant due to bent bolts, delaying repairs. The Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, has burned over 23,000 acres, destroying homes, infrastructure, and wildlife habitats. Strong winds and dry conditions fueled its rapid spread, leaving Pacific Palisades and neighboring communities grappling with the aftermath. CAL FIRE—the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection—has been at the forefront of the response. With nearly 140 years of experience, CAL FIRE is responsible for protecting 31 million acres of state responsibility areas. Their expertise extends beyond wildfire suppression to disaster response, including earthquake management, water rescues, and hazardous material incidents. Caltrans has also played a crucial role in the ongoing recovery efforts. Responsible for overseeing more than 50,000 miles of California’s highways and freeways, Caltrans has collaborated with local and state teams to restore infrastructure and ensure safe travel. The collaborative efforts of CAL FIRE, Caltrans, Southern California Edison, SoCalGas, and local city crews underscore a unified response to this crisis. Residents are encouraged to remain patient as recovery progresses and to continue supporting the work of the agencies dedicated to restoring the region. ''''''''''''''''''''''' 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.