With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Fire debris prompts LA County beach closures until further notice
A view of beachside homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire along Pacific Coast Highway on January 16, 2025 in Malibu, California.
(
Mario Tama
/
Getty Images
)
Topline:
Health officials have shut down approximately 9 miles of Los Angeles County coastline this week because toxic chemicals from the Palisades Fire may be in the sand and water.
What the closure covers: The closure starts at Las Flores State Beach to Santa Monica State Beach and will stay in effect until further notice, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health. Officials are cautioning beachgoers to avoid contact with water or sand around the areas, as well as any fire debris they may come across.
What could be in the water? The recent rains created wildfire runoff that may contain toxic ash and dangerous debris, including carcinogenic chemicals, according to the health department. After the 2018 Woolsey Fire, scientists found elevated levels of fecal bacteria on the Malibu coastline.
Support for LAist comes from
Listen
• 0:50
Fire debris prompts LA County beach closures until further notice
What about other beaches? The department has an ocean water quality rain advisory in effect for all L.A. County beaches through Thursday. Once that lifts, another water quality advisory will start that centers on fire debris, covering Surfrider Beach to Las Flores State Beach, as well as Santa Monica State Beach to Dockweiler State Beach at World Way, according to the department.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist