The Unified Incident Command responding to the Palisades fire has announced limited re-entry to all areas under evacuation order for residents and contractors with proof that they are working for a resident ONLY. Escorts are no longer required. Checkpoints remain in place and proof of residence will be required to enter these areas. Curfews remain in effect.

Entry passes are required. 

As of February 12, 2025, there is only one location to obtain access passes for residents and authorized contractors to enter the Palisades: 

UCLA Research Park West
10850 Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Passes distributed in the parking structure of the Disaster Recovery Center
9 am - 7 pm, 7 days a week

The West LA Civic Center location no longer provides entry passes.

Private Property Debris Removal Information - Forms for Impacted Residents

Know the risks of returning to an area where there’s been a fire. Follow these tips for returning home safely.

Download the "Fire Debris Information" (English) (En Español)

additional languages available upon request, email emdcommunications@lacity.org

EPA Emergency Response Deployed in Burn Areas

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Representatives have been assigned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to survey, remove, and dispose of hazardous materials from properties burned by wildfires in Los Angeles County. EPA’s work removing hazardous materials is Phase 1 of the federal cleanup response. Further information can be found at epa.gov/california-wildfires.

Hazardous materials from burned properties require special handling and safe disposal by EPA’s cleanup crews. These materials will be sent to licensed disposal facilities (not municipal landfills). The EPA has been assessing and preparing to remove the first phase of debris - hazardous materials such as lithium batteries, asbestos, paints, cleaners and pesticides.

As part of the hazardous material removal work, U.S. EPA has also been tasked to safely remove batteries from electric and hybrid vehicles and home backup power supplies. According to the EPA, lithium-ion batteries should be considered extremely dangerous. For questions about this work or if you have an electric or hybrid vehicle and/or a battery energy storage system in the burn area, call the EPA hotline - 1-833-798-7372.

Download the flyer for more information.

What To Know About Returning to Palisades Evacuation Areas

The Palisades Fire has burned more than 23,000 acres, requiring an aggressive City emergency response and a comprehensive recovery plan to rebuild homes, businesses and communities. State, County and local officials overseeing this incident are beginning to identify zones within the evacuation area where residents can return to their properties based on environmental, health and safety standards.

What’s happening right now in the evacuation areas?

• Urban Search and Rescue Teams, including K9 units, are actively searching the area for potential human remains to ensure no individuals are unaccounted for. Search efforts are thorough and deliberate, ensuring accuracy and sensitivity during recovery operations.
• Destruction in these areas is truly unprecedented and Angelenos’ safety is the top priority as severe environmental hazards are mitigated and addressed. The Environmental Protection Agency began assessing hazardous materials in the burn area on Thursday, January 16 and will continue its assessments in the coming days. 
• LADWP is working with Unified Command, fire safety and law enforcement leaders, to ensure it is safe to restore power to fire impacted customers. Once it is determined to be safe, LADWP will re-energize circuits to restore power to customers in the areas with residential re-entry. 
• Firefighters continue to monitor the area to ensure that embers and sparks don’t ignite new fires in the surrounding areas.

Criteria for Consideration Prior to Re-Opening Areas Currently Under Mandatory Evacuation Order

The following points, provided by Unified Command, outline the safety and environmental criteria that must be considered in order to allow for re-entry: 

• Safety Criteria Being Considered:
• Unstable Hillsides/Foundations: Burned hillsides can experience soil erosion, landslides, or rockfalls, further compromising the stability of nearby structures.
• Downed Utility Poles: Damaged poles are being replaced to ensure road and area safety.
• Dust, Ash Particulates: Dust, ash, and particulates may contain toxic substances, including heavy metals, asbestos, silica, and combustion byproducts.
• Smoldering Structures: Hazardous fire debris and remaining hot spots are monitored to ensure complete extinguishment and prevent flare-ups.
• Septic Tanks/Basements/Pools: Hidden voids or weakened basement walls may collapse under pressure or weight. Accumulation of hazardous gases such as methane or carbon monoxide is possible.
• Hazardous Trees: Fire-damaged and unstable trees are being assessed and removed to prevent falling hazards.
• Unstable Structures: Buildings and chimneys are often unstable after a fire and may collapse without warning.
• Leaning Utility Poles: Poles at risk of collapse are being stabilized or replaced.
• Downed Powerlines: Live or damaged powerlines are deactivated and removed to ensure public safety.
• Food Spoilage: Decomposed food may release harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, or E. coli, posing a serious health risk.
• Open Gas Lines: Gas leaks are being capped, and damaged lines are being repaired to prevent explosions.
• Hazardous Materials: Collapsing structures may release sharp objects, heavy debris, or toxic materials, posing injury and health risks.
• Contaminated Water: Toxic chemicals after a fire can affect water quality and pose health risks.

While thorough, this is not all inclusive. After these hazards have been satisfactorily considered and the safety of residents met, a comprehensive repopulation plan will be enacted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Am I allowed to have a lawyer, contractor, or my insurance adjuster come to my property?
All Evacuation Orders remain in place for the Palisades Fire, but residents are able to enter the area. Resident Access passes are required but escorts are no longer needed (see entry pass locations above).  Contractors and insurance providers are allowed to enter the area with a "contractor" entry pass, also available from the UCLA Research Park West and West LA Civic Center locations listed.  

Q: My house burned down. Will I be able to check if anything remains before it is cleared?
There are many toxic and hazardous materials remaining within the burn areas. Household hazardous debris inspection and clearance by the EPA is ongoing. Re-entry has been permitted, but moving or spreading debris outside of the structural footprint may disqualify your property from the Personal Property Debris Removal Program. Find the Status of the Household Hazardous Waste Process at 2025 Southern California Wildfire Response.

Q: Who can help me find my missing pet?
LA Animal Services continues to provide assistance to animals separated from their owners due to the Palisades Fire. If you need assistance in finding your missing pet due to the wildfires, call the LA Fire Evacuation Animal Services Hotline at 213-270-8870. If you have a disability and are unable to call the hotline, please complete the Los Angeles FIRE Evacuation Animal Services Form (available in English and Spanish) to get assistance about your missing pet. Go to laanimalservices.com/palisades-fire  

Q: What is a Right of Entry (ROE) form?  
A right of entry form authorizes the government to access eligible properties to clear burned debris, destroyed structures, damaged vehicles, vessels, and chimneys, also referred to as Phase 2.  Find more information about the Debris Removal process by visiting https://emergency.lacity.gov/recovery#rightofentry 

Q: When will power and other utilities be restored in my neighborhood?
Communities devastated by these fires may not have utilities available, even if your property is not damaged. Due to the widespread damage, it was imperative to deactivate electricity and gas services to avoid further damage. If you have been allowed to return to your property and find your power out but your immediate neighbors’ electricity is on, please check your electrical panel. If your power is still out or the power remains out on your street or block, please contact 1-800-DIAL DWP to report the outage. It may be that LADWP crews are still inspecting the power lines that supply power to your street or block to ensure they are safe to restore. Performing the inspections and repairs enables crews to quickly and safely restore power to affected customers once Palisades Fire Unified Command lifts fire holds that are in place on certain power lines, for safety purposes.

The Do Not Drink Notice remains in effect in the Pacific Palisades zip code 90272, and adjacent communities in the LADWP service area immediately south of the 90272-zip code that are north of San Vicente Blvd. Note that the Brentwood neighborhood is NOT included in the Do Not Drink Notice affected area. An interactive map is available where LADWP customers can enter their address to check if they are in the Do Not Drink Notice affected areas.   Click to check Interactive Map App.