July 3, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Breaking News: 6% Containment Achieved in Palisades Fire; Tragic Death Confirmed, Federal Government to Cover Costs

Firefighters Battle the Destructive Blaze With Reinforcements From Multiple States 

On the third day of the Palisades Fire, at last, good news, CAL FIRE has announced that firefighters have finally achieved 6% containment on this destructive blaze. The fire has so far charred 19,978 Acres. President Joe Biden has also announced that the Federal Government will Cover 100% of the cost for 180 Days for California Fire Response. 

More good news, on social media, the California National Guard announced that the hand crews already deployed in SoCal are being joined by additional teams gearing up to combat wildfires. Military police, helicopters, and C-130 firefighting aircraft are gearing up to assist our partners. California National Guard firefighters, aviation assets, and other support staff have joined the fight to suppress the Southern California wildfires. Additionally, resources from multiple states – including Oregon, Utah, and Nevada — are sending resources to help.

CAL FIRE’s operations chiefs on the Palisades Fire, Christian Litz, and Landon Hack described the plan to continue to contain the fire with with six different fronts to keep the fire from breaking out into other areas. 

The first division was Alpha, which is the area closest to Brentwood on the east side of the fire at Sullivan and Mandeville Canyons, the second is the southeast edge with divisions Charlie, Foxtrot, Juliet, Mike, and Papa, which is the area closest to Santa Monica, Pacific Coast Highway, and the southern border of Pacific Palisades, the third is division Tango which is the western edge of the fire, close to the area of the Franklin Fire in Malibu, the fourth division Uniform which is the northwest area closest to Piuma Road, the fifth division which is division Victor is Topanga Canyon in the north, and the sixth division which is divisions Y and Z which are the northernmost area of the Pacific Palisades.

Essentially, they have surrounded the entire fire and are keeping it from expanding and working on reducing it, with the use of aircraft doing air drops and firefighters patrolling and responding to any issues. 

This is the community town hall that CAL FIRE held on Thursday, January 9. You can watch it here:

The weather has been a big driver of the fire’s advance. The Santa Ana winds returned with gusts up to 40 MPH that were observed into Thursday afternoon. North to northeast winds are expected to increase with poor overnight humidity recovery. On Saturday, typical mid-January conditions are expected, on Sunday, and continuing through the middle of next week, weak to moderate Santa Ana winds are expected. There is a chance of strong winds on Tuesday. There will continue to be a high likelihood of critical fire weather conditions through next week.

The Los Angeles County and CAL FIRE Damage Assessment Teams (DINS) continue to assess and validate structures impacted by the Palisades Fire. More than 5,000 structures have been destroyed according to Fire Chief Crowley. 

The Los Angeles Unified School District and Santa Monica-Malibu School District have canceled classes for all schools Friday. Residents are encouraged to avoid nonessential travel to allow firefighters plenty of room to work.

Tragically, the first death in the Palisades Fire has been confirmed and it was a resident of Malibu. 

Malibu’s mayor Doug Stewart issued a statement on the death,  “We are deeply saddened to learn that we have lost a member of the Malibu community during the Palisades Fire. Although the individual has not yet been identified, this tragic news weighs heavily on our hearts. On behalf of the City of Malibu, I want to express my deepest condolences to the loved ones of this person. Our community grieves with you in this moment of unimaginable loss. Please join me in keeping this individual’s family and all those affected by the fire in your thoughts and hearts.”

LAPD Chief McDonnell noted that officers were investigating a death on the 15300 block of Friends Street, but no other information is known. 

All current mandatory evacuations and evacuation warnings are still in effect until further notice.

Road Closures

Follow CHP-West ValleyExternal Link to stay up-to-date on road closures for the Palisades Fire. 

  • Southbound Pacific Coast Highway is closed at Malibu Canyon
  • Southbound Piuma Road is closed at Woodbluff Road
  • Southbound Malibu Canyon is closed at Piuma Road
  • Southbound Stunt Road is closed at Mulholland Drive
  • Southbound Topanga Canyon Road is closed at Mulholland Drive

City of Santa Monica: 

  • Ocean Avenue, 7th Street, and 26th Street have all been shut down to northbound traffic into the Palisades 
  • I-10 westbound has been shut down at Lincoln Boulevard. All additional access to the northbound Pacific Coast Highway has been closed off
  • Pacific Coast Highway is closed between Entrada Drive and Malibu Canyon Road
  • Southbound Las Virgenes and Malibu Canyon are closed at Lost Hills Road is closed at Pacific Coast Highway
  • Southbound Old Topanga Canyon is closed at Mulholland Drive 
  • Eastbound Mulholland Highway is closed at Malibu Canyon
  • Pacific Coast Highway is closed at Malibu Canyon for northbound and eastbound traffic
  • Malibu Road is closed at Webb Way to eastbound traffic
  • Dry Canyon Cold Creek is closed at Mulholland Highway
  • Cold Canyon Road at Mulholland Highway is closed to southbound traffic
  • Pacific Coast Highway is closed at Leo Carillo to eastbound and westbound traffic
in News
Related Posts

405 Crash Near the Getty Sends Three to Hospital: Two Seriously Hurt Near Site Where LAPD Sgt. Died

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Early Morning Multi-Vehicle Collision Shut Down Lanes Near Brentwood Three men were injured and traffic was snarled for hours following...

Brentwood School Students Explore Gene Editing with Hands-On CRISPR Workshop

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Science Program Gives Teens Hands-on Experience With Revolutionary Biotechnology Students at Brentwood School are getting a firsthand look at the...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...

(Video) Los Angeles County Supervisor from the 2nd district, Holly J. Mitchel, Gives a Powerful Speech

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Supervisor Mitchell Called on Residents to take action at the rally for Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano in Culver City.

Top Military Commander Urges Return of Troops Deployed to ICE Protest Response

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

General Requests 200 National Guard Soldiers Be Returned to California Wildfire Unit The senior U.S. military officer overseeing federal forces...

Second Victim Killed Alongside LAPD Sergeant in Brentwood 405 Crash Identified

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Authorities Confirm Garcia, 34, Died at the Scene, GoFundMe Launched  Authorities have identified the civilian who was killed alongside a...

The Westside Lights Up for July 4: Fireworks, Drone Shows, and Parades Return Across West Los Angeles

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

From Marina Del Rey’s Fireworks to Culver City’s 1980s-Themed Drone Show, Get Ready to Celebrate From fireworks over Marina del...

(Video) Culver City Residents and City and County Leaders Rally for Disappeared Ice Cream Man Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

US Representative for California’s 37th Congressional District, Sydney Kamlager-Dove Speaks About What is happening to the disappeared.

City Issues Determination That Could Clear Way for Barry Building Demolition

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Preservation Deemed Infeasible Due to Economic and Social Factors The historic Barry Building on San Vicente Boulevard may soon face...

Historic Sawtelle Nursery Site Could Become 40-Unit Townhome Complex

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Sawtelle Continues to Change as Nursery Site Faces Redevelopment Plans have been submitted to redevelop a nursery site, F.K. Nursery,...

Drake Slashes Price on Beverly Hills Estate to $79 Million Amid Market Slowdown

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Price Cut Adds to a Broader Retreat From His Los Angeles Real Estate Holdings. Musician Drake has reduced the price...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

TV Writer Jon Cowan Brings Legal Thriller Proof to Diesel A Bookstore in Brentwood

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The Suits Producer and First-Time Novelist Will Discuss His Debut Courtroom Drama Television writer and producer Jon Cowan will appear...