Confusion in Palisades as PCH partially reopens, but access remains restricted within city limits

The fire-devastated community of Pacific Palisades was mostly quiet early Sunday morning, hours after the decision to reopen the Pacific Palisades was reversed by L.A. Mayor Karen Bass.

Signs and cones on Pacific Coast Highway near Temescal Canyon indicate that only residents and emergency vehicles can pass through to the north. The restriction did not appear to be enforced Sunday morning as vehicles were able to pass through uninterrupted.

By mid-morning, traffic along the highway was beginning to pick up.

As announced by Bass the night before, checkpoints on streets intersecting the highway have remained and are still being enforced, only allowing access for residents, or those who needed to visit properties, like insurance companies. Access permits can be acquired from police stationed at Will Rogers State Beach lot 3.

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LAPD Sergeant Joe Sanchez was supervising operations at the parking lot. He said their orders are to continue providing permits to people with proof of residence, and that street barriers will remain in effect until they receive orders from the mayor to remove them.

Outside city limits a few miles to the north, L.A. County proceeded with its planned reopening. A sheriff’s deputy stationed just beyond the city boundary said all of their barriers were removed Sunday morning at 8 a.m. and streets outside city limits are open to the public.

Visitors are still encouraged to avoid the area if they can, and the sheriff’s department warned that burned property is still private property and cannot be entered without permission.

Utility works repair power lines along PCH

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Evan Jacoby

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LAist

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Residents have mixed feelings about reopening

It’s been a confusing two days for residents of the Palisades, who last week were allowed to return to their neighborhood. On Friday, Bass announced that the area would be reopened on Sunday morning to the public. At the same time, officials said with the removal of checkpoints, the presences of law enforcement would be stepped up. Then, Saturday night, she reversed course, citing additional law enforcement resources to the area provided by Gov. Gavin Newsom as the reason behind the decision.

Both the Palisades and Eaton fires reached 100% containment last week.

One Palisades resident said he wasn’t aware of the move to reopen the community — or the latter decision to rescind it. He’s been living in his Palisades apartment without gas or electricity since the Palisades Fire.

“I would love for everything to be opened up again, and I know a lot of businesses are going to suffer because of the closure,” said Sean Lennon, who returned to his PCH apartment while firefighters were still battling flames across the highway.

But, he said, he doesn’t want to get in the way of utility crews and other workers.

He’s also worried about possible looters, and was committed to keeping watch over his and his neighbors’ homes. “That’s one of the reasons why I’m here. I’m standing guard day and night.”

By late morning Sunday there was significant congestion on the 10 Freeway near the entrance to PCH. Some drivers appeared to be asking police if they were allowed to enter.

LAPD is preparing to hand over enforcement to California Highway Patrol and the National Guard, with additional resources promised by California Governor Gavin Newsom.

The National Guard maintains a large presence in the Palisades area

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Evan Jacoby

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LAist

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