Palisades Fire Emergency Repairs

A map showing areas for Caltrans emergency repair work along Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) from Temescal Canyon Road to Carbon beach Terrace, and Topanga Canyon Boulevard (State Route 27) from Pacific Coast Highway to Circle Trail.

BACKGROUND

The Palisades Fire started on January 7, 2025 and burned over 23,000 acres in the cities of Malibu, Los Angeles, and unincorporated communities in Los Angeles County.

The fire caused widespread damage along State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway/PCH) and State Route 27 (Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR-27), destroying 6,800 structures, damaging an additional 1,000 structures, downing utility power poles and powerlines, and prompting a full closure of the highways for several months. SR-27 also experienced several localized rockslides due to the fire that blocked portions of the roadway. Caltrans staffed hard closures of these routes, removing major debris and repairing signals along both roadways while utility companies made their repairs to restore utilities for residents and business owners.

Caltrans began repairs and preventative measures on an 8.5-mile segment of PCH in the cities of Malibu and Los Angeles and a 3.6-mile segment of SR-27 in the unincorporated community of Topanga in Los Angeles County following the Palisades wildfire and subsequent weather events.

In advance of anticipated rain events, on January 24, Caltrans placed k-rails, sandbags, slope netting and wattles along PCH to protect the highway and surviving homes, and to maintain an open highway for emergency responders. Rainfall on January 26 caused Topanga Creek to overflow and mud and debris flows along SR-27 and PCH, which prompted an evacuation of utility and Caltrans maintenance crews and closures along SR-27 and a small portion of PCH. The hard closure on SR-27 continued as Caltrans crews work to remove mud and debris from the roadway so utility companies can continue their repair work.

PCH was briefly reopened for public use with traffic controls on February 3, before reclosing the following day due to weather reports of incoming storms. Preparations were made again to protect the highway and surrounding homes, including installation of wattles for erosion control, temporary fencing and steel plates where retaining walls were burned, k-rails, and rockfall cable mesh. Rainstorms on February 5-6, February 13-14, March 12-13, and April 26, led to mudslides and debris flows on both highways. Areas of SR-27 were washed out and assessed as needing structural repair and cleanup.

On February 20, access to the closure on PCH with traffic controls expanded to residents of the burn scar areas, school buses, and essential businesses. On February 28, L.A. Metro resumed operations on bus route 134 crossing the soft closure.

On March 21, access to the closure on SR-27 opened to school buses during designated times with an escort. On April 21, the Topanga Beach Bus resumed limited service via the closed portions of Topanga Canyon Blvd (SR-27) and Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to Santa Monica. On May 12, access expanded to daytime hours between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. for school buses, parents transporting students to and from school with Topanga Student Access cards, Topanga Beach Bus service, and Topanga residents with burn scar passes showing proof of residency.

After extended closures and limited access, PCH and SR-27 reopened for public use with traffic controls on May 23.

STATUS

PCH has reopened for public use with traffic controls for an 8.5-mile stretch between Chautauqua Boulevard in Los Angeles and Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu.

SR-27 has reopened for public use, between 5:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. (hours subject to change), with traffic controls for a 3.6-mile stretch between PCH and Grand View Drive.

As partner agencies work to remove fire and storm debris, there may be times where a hard closure is still necessary. Caltrans will give notice of these closures.

ASSESSMENT

To best facilitate the clean-up and recovery efforts, Caltrans crews have been assessing the impacts of the wildfires on Caltrans infrastructure. Inspections found fire-related damage along both routes, impacting many structures within State right-of-way, including retaining walls, slopes, guard rails, drainage, signs, traffic signals, and traffic control systems.

The Caltrans facility Las Flores Maintenance Station on PCH also sustained severe damages.

The damage on the slopes along PCH is not limited to State right-of-way. There are several walls throughout the burn area above SR-1 that are on private property or in local agency jurisdiction. Caltrans is assessing these walls with private property owners and local agencies.