In this Lookout Livestream, we reviewed post-fire satellite imagery from Maxar and fire progression maps from Cal Fire Incident Management Team 2 to describe how the Palisades Fire spread, and the tactics used to contain it. The fire started near Skull Rock and quickly spread across Topanga Canyon Road and Palisades Drive. It advanced to Malibu within the first day, aided by strong winds. Firefighting efforts included bulldozer lines and retardant drops, particularly around Mandeville Canyon. In two areas, the fire’s containment was facilitated by previous burn scars that reduced fuel.
Initial Fire Spread and Firefighting Tactics
- The fire started near Skull Rock, east of the Summit neighborhood and quickly spread south toward the ocean, and west across Palisades Drive.
- The fire pushed down Temescal Canyon Road to the coast within the first day and night.
- A previous fire in 2021 in the area east of Topanga Oaks created an area of reduced fuel and limiting the fire’s spread that direction after the initial southward spread.
- The November 2024 Franklin Fire acted as a buffer to keep the fire from burning into Central Malibu.
- Firefighters used bulldozers and retardant to create a line along the ridge of the Santa Monica Mountains, east of Topanga and Sylvia Park, which helped contain the fire.
- The most dynamic firefighting occurred in this same area with retardant drops being used to pre-treat the vegetation along the control line, and backfiring used to reduce fuels ahead of the fire’s spread.
Hot Spot Mapping and Containment
- Infrared mapping is being used on a nightly basis to identify hot spots within the fire perimeter.
- Crews are searching for and extinguishing isolated heat sources to ensure the fire was contained.
Challenges in Firefighting and Community Protection
- The rugged terrain and steep slopes made firefighting difficult, with crews needing to hike and access remote areas.
- The fire’s progression was influenced by wind patterns and terrain, with some areas burning more intensely than others.
- The fire’s containment was aided by the use of retardant and bulldozer lines, but the terrain posed ongoing challenges.
Post-Fire Assessment and Technology Limitations
- We discussed the limitations of better technology in stopping future extreme fires, despite advancements in mapping and firefighting tools.
- We emphasized the need for home hardening, major changes in the future community footprints in the areas with the most extreme wildfire hazards, and reconsidering our relationship with fire.
- The governor’s executive order to suspend environmental regulations and streamline building codes was mentioned, but criticized for not addressing long-term strategic planning.