LOS ANGELES, CA – For the first time since the Palisades Fire erupted, officials have permitted a limited number of residents to return to their homes on Thursday as firefighters continue to gain control of the blaze and assess the safety of affected areas.
Residents are being allowed back into specific evacuation zones, as outlined by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The areas now open include the following zones: LOS-Q0765, LOS-Q1118, LOS-Q0798, LOS-Q0782-B, LOS-Q0778-A, LOS-Q0781-A, LOS-Q0782-A, LOS-Q0780, DRY-U026-A, RRC-U027-A, TOP-U002, and TOP-U001.
These zones correspond to regions north of Topanga Canyon Boulevard and south of Mulholland Drive; north of Old Topanga Canyon Road and south of Summit to Summit Motorway; north of Mulholland Highway and south of Stokes Canyon Road; and north of Red Rock Road and south of Calabasas Peak Motorway.
While residents in these areas can now return, officials emphasized that road closures remain in place throughout the fire perimeter. Residents are encouraged to check the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works website at dpw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures/ for the latest updates on accessible routes.
To gain entry, returning residents must provide proof of residency at roadblocks. Acceptable documentation includes a photo ID that clearly displays the individual’s name, photograph, and physical address.
In announcing the phased repopulation effort, officials reiterated the importance of residents knowing their emergency zone for future crises. “Knowing your zone is critical to staying safe during a public safety emergency such as a wildfire, flood, tsunami, hurricane, earthquake, or active shooter incident,” the statement read.
Emergency alerts and evacuation orders during such events are organized by zones to ensure that information reaches those impacted as quickly and accurately as possible. Residents who are unsure of their emergency zone are encouraged to visit protect.genasys.com to confirm their designated area.
This step toward repopulation marks progress in the containment of the Palisades Fire, but officials urge caution as cleanup and recovery efforts are ongoing. Residents should remain vigilant and prepared to act in the event of changing conditions, as some areas remain hazardous and roadblocks will continue to enforce safety protocols.
Additional updates on the fire’s containment and repopulation phases are expected in the coming days as firefighters and emergency crews work to secure the remaining active fire zones.
