Overview

• The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) has reopened with restricted traffic following a month-long closure due to the Palisades and Eaton wildfires in Southern California.
• The fires, which began on January 7 during extreme wind conditions, destroyed over 16,000 structures, burned more than 37,000 acres, and caused at least 29 fatalities.
• Cleanup and recovery efforts are underway, with hazardous debris removal and utility repairs ongoing; access to the Palisades burn zone remains restricted to residents with proof of entry.
• The economic toll of the fires is projected to exceed $250 billion, making them the costliest disaster in U.S. history, with thousands of residents facing financial and housing uncertainties.
• Officials are monitoring the area for potential mudslides and debris flows as rain is forecasted, potentially complicating recovery efforts further.