Los Angeles Fires: City Updates On Power Outages, Closures and More

The City of Los Angeles is responding to the Palisades Fire amidst the dangerous wind storm impacting the L.A. region. The Emergency Operations Center has been activated to a Level 2 in response to the National Weather Service announcement of a destructive High Wind Watch and a Fire Weather Watch for parts of Los Angeles City on Monday. Angelenos should be advised that the wind storm is expected to worsen tonight through tomorrow, Wednesday morning, and to heed warnings, stay vigilant and stay safe.

Update Regarding the Palisades Fire: 

The City of Los Angeles has declared a state of emergency to amplify response efforts to the devastating Palisades Fire and ongoing windstorm. The declaration will also help clear a path for a rapid recovery. The County has declared a local emergency as well. President Biden and the federal government have approved additional resources for the state of California to battle the fire.

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Is Aggressively Working To Put Out Fires:

• LAFD has established an elevated posture from Tuesday at 8:00 AM through Friday at 8:00 AM.

• At 10:30 am LAFD responded to a fire in the Pacific Palisades. This fire remains an active emergency, having spread more than 2,900 acres, with potential to threaten life and property. At 07:56 PM an updated Evacuation Order was sent via Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) to mobile phone users within the vicinity of the fire requiring all non-emergency personnel to leave the area. Red Flag Parking Restrictions have been in effect in the City’s Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones since 8:00 AM on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Parking restrictions will remain in effect until further notice. Check lafd.org/redflag for Red Flag Warning updates. All air operations have currently been grounded due to extreme weather conditions until further notice.

  LAFD has more than 250 LAFD firefighters on scene including:

  • 46 engines

  • 3 trucks

  • 5 helicopters

  • 4 brush patrols

  • 2 water tenders

  • 6 paramedic ambulances

  • 1 fast response vehicle

  • 1 advance nurse partitioner unit

  • 2 bull dozers

  • 10 Chief Officers

  • Fire Investigators and Safety Officers

• LAFD has clarified a misunderstanding regarding a call for their own off duty firefighters to assist with this effort – https://x.com/LAFDtalk/status/1876846323980189984

Evacuation Orders And Warnings In Effect As Of 7:00 PM: 

• A map of the evacuation zone is available here. Residents are advised to exit the area.

• Pacific Coast Highway is closed from the 10 Freeway to Topanga Canyon.

• Sunset Boulevard is closed West of Kenter Avenue to allow for evacuation.

• An evacuation shelter has been established at Westwood Recreation Center at 1350 S Sepulveda Boulevard and provides shelter for evacuees and small animals. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts at notifyla.org. There are currently 35 people and 1 pet occupying the shelter.

• People are advised to avoid the area West of the 405 Freeway between Sunset Boulevard and the 101 Freeway to allow emergency responders to operate.

• An emergency evacuation shelter for large animals has been established at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 480 Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91506.

Addressing Gridlock and Assisting With Evacuation Paths:

• LAPD is currently on a partial Citywide tactical alert (OCB and OWB) with 248 personnel assigned to the Palisades Fire to assist with traffic gridlock, evacuations and additional support as needed.

• Traffic Officers and Supervisors and Special Traffic Operations personnel have been assigned to the fire area to assist with Traffic Control efforts.

• LADOT’s Advanced Transportation Systems and Coordination (ATSAC) Center is monitoring traffic volumes and adjusting signal timing in and around the evacuation area to reduce congestion.

LAUSD School Impacts:

• Due to fire activity and weather conditions, the following schools will be closed on Wednesday:

  • Canyon Elementary School

  • Palisades Charter Elementary School

  • Marquez Charter Elementary School

  • Paul Revere Charter Middle School

• Topanga Elementary Charter School will continue its relocation to Woodland Hills Academy.

• Affected schools are communicating directly with families. Please visit lausd.org for updates. If families need additional support, please contact our Family Hotline at (213) 443-1300.

Addressing the Continued Wind Event:

Addressing Power Outages:

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) electric crews are working in hazardous conditions responding to restore power outages in the City. As of 9:00 pm, approximately 86,267 customers out of 1.5 million are without power, and 31,406 have been restored since the start of the wind storm. There are currently over 100 crew members working on restorations.

• Strong winds can knock over trees, or cause branches and palm fronds to strike power lines which could result in power outages. If that occurs, a crew’s first responsibility is to secure the affected area to protect the public from safety hazards, QWERIPOPs posed by downed trees and power lines, followed by the removal of trees entangling LADWP power poles and power lines. Only after this is done can crews begin repair work to restore power.

• LADWP is regularly sharing outage information via its newsroom, Twitter (@LADWP) and NextDoor online platforms that inform affected neighborhoods on the status of their outage.

• Customers are also encouraged to sign up for outage alerts available in English and Spanish at www.ladwp.com/outages.

What Angelenos Should Do If Their Power Goes Out:

• Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) encourages customers to be prepared for a power outage and to stay safe by following the tips below:

  • Never touch a downed power line! If you see a downed wire, stay away and call 911.

  • Keep a flashlight and extra batteries nearby. Never use candles in a power outage or other emergency.

  • Keep a fully charged cell phone on hand. If your power goes out or there are outages in your neighborhood, you may lose phone service and your cordless “landline” may also lose power. Extra portable cell phone batteries are very helpful in the event of an outage.

  • If your power goes out:

    • Report outages online and track crew status at www.ladwp.com/outages or by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397).

    • Sign up for outage alerts at www.ladwp.com/outagealert.

    • Switch off all lights, except for one, so you will know when your power has been restored.

    • Keep your refrigerator closed to keep food cold for longer.

    • Check on vulnerable friends and neighbors to make sure they are safe.

Assisting the Unhoused During this Emergency:

• The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) has been conducting outreach to individuals living on the streets in high fire severity zones since Friday, January 3rd, and will continue to do so in the coming days. The Mayors Office will be activating 60 hotel vouchers that will be distributed through outreach and 211, and will continue to add vouchers based on capacity.

Addressing Road Impacts:

• The Bureau of Street Services, also known as StreetsLA, has received a total of 395 tree emergency requests across the city and has successfully resolved 83, as of 6:30 PM.

• The Bureau of Street Services has emergency trucks available citywide. StreetsLA will also make additional staff available to respond as needed.

• StreetsLA’s Urban Forestry Division is prepared and ready to be deployed for emergency response and removal of tree debris.

• Announcements involving significant road closures or transportation impacts will be updated at ladot.lacity.gov.

Addressing Potential Building and Safety Issues:

• The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety will work closely with the Emergency Management Department to perform assessments of any damages caused by the wind event.

City Communications Expanded To Meet Potential Increased Need:

• 311 has expanded its operating hours starting Tuesday at 7:00 AM and going all the way through 7:00 PM on Wednesday. 311 will also be providing public information updates about the wind storm as it progresses. Calls related to the storm will be tracked.

Preparing For Impacts At The Los Angeles Zoo:

• The Zoo was closed today, Tuesday, January 7, and will remain closed on Wednesday, January 8. The Zoo will continuously monitor the weather and the conditions on campus to ensure the safety of guests, staff, and animals.

• Any adjustments to Zoo operations will be updated in real-time for the public on the Zoo’s website at www.lazoo.org.

LA City Parks Closures:

• Due to adverse weather conditions and the brush fire in the Palisades, some parks and facilities may experience limited hours of operations or temporary closures to prioritize public safety.

• The Department of Recreation and Parks encourages everyone to take precautions during this time. Please avoid unnecessary travel in evacuation areas, stay updated on local weather alerts, and follow all safety guidelines.

• As of 3:00 PM the following Parks and Facilities are closed:

  • Recreation Centers:

    • Barrington Recreation Center

    • Rustic Recreation Center

    • Pacific Palisades Recreation Center

  • Golf Courses:

    • Balboa

    • Encino

    • Harding

    • Los Feliz

    • Penmar

    • Wilson

    • Woodley Lakes

  • The following Park Facilities are closed from 10 PM Tuesday to 10 AM Thursday as an extra precaution:

    • Griffith Park

    • Runyon Canyon

  • For Aquatics please check here

• Outdoor activities may be suspended at other City parks based on adverse weather conditions and associated safety concerns.