Navigating the Flames: Essential Travel Guidance for Los Angeles Amidst Pacific Palisades Wildfires

At 10:30am local time on Tuesday, January 7, a brush fire spanning 20 acres ignited in a residential area in northwest Los Angeles. Within 24 hours, two individuals have lost their lives and the fire, propelled by strong winds, has obliterated nearly 3,000 acres. Additionally, three other wildfires have erupted, endangering thousands of residences and necessitating the evacuation of 30,000 individuals. While it is not yet the most significant fire in Los Angeles’ history, if you have plans to travel or already find yourself there, here’s what you should be aware of.

Is it secure to visit Los Angeles?

Individuals observing smoke from the fire in Pacific Palisades

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Though there is currently no direct danger from the wildfires in popular tourist locations like Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Downtown LA, anticipate disruptions to shops, attractions, and other services, as well as poor air quality. Santa Monica is presently teetering on the edge of the mandatory evacuation radius.

The Foreign Office cautions that “rapidly spreading wildfires are presently occurring within Los Angeles County. You should keep an eye on local media and heed the guidance of local authorities.”

Where are the fires happening?

Intense blazes are currently raging in Eaton, north of Pasadena; Hurst, northwest of San Fernando; and Pacific Palisades, a lush, affluent suburb situated ten miles northwest of Downtown LA, adjacent to the popular tourist area of Santa Monica. A fourth fire, spanning 75 acres, ignited on North Woodley Avenue in the Sepulveda Basin, in northwest Los Angeles County.

How critical are these fires?

A residence consumed by the Eaton fire

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The largest wildfire that Los Angeles has ever encountered was the La Tuna fire, which ignited just west of Pacific Palisades in September 2017 and devastated nearly 5,000 acres. Today, 1,000 acres are ablaze in Eaton, 100 acres in Hurst, and almost 3,000 acres in Pacific Palisades, with at least 30,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders.

It’s this latter blaze that poses the most severe threat: as of this moment, numerous homes and businesses have been obliterated; 13,000 structures are in jeopardy; the Los Angeles Fire Department is reporting “zero containment,” and firefighters have raised concerns that hydrants are running out of water. This indicates that the fire is essentially beyond control.

What are the evacuation areas?

A woman relocating her possessions from Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard

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The Pacific Palisades mandatory evacuation zone extends from north of San Vicente Boulevard at Santa Monica’s border all the way to Malibu in the west and Mulholland Road to the north. The Eaton evacuation sector encompasses an area north of Sierra Madre Boulevard bordered by Arcadia Wilderness Park to the east and Altadena to the west. The considerably smaller Hurst evacuation zone includes sparsely populated land located north and west of Stetson Ranch Park. Ignoring the evacuation orders is illegal.

What triggered the fires?

The blazes have been fueled by fierce winds with gusts reaching up to 75mph

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In every instance, the origin of the fires remains unknown; however, their intensity is attributed to the so-called Santa Ana winds: warm, arid air from California’s interior that rushes towards the ocean through the valleys of the Santa Ana mountains, rendering vegetation extremely dry. Last night, winds of 75mph were reported, with gusts of 100mph noted in Pasadena today.

Is Los Angeles airport operational?

Aircraft are departing from Los Angeles International Airport as smoke rises from the Pacific Palisades fire

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Los Angeles International (LAX), located ten miles southeast of Pacific Palisades, is mostly unaffected in terms of arrivals and departures. Nonetheless, strong winds could result in turbulent landings at the airport.

Can I receive a refund if I decide against traveling due to wildfires?

In the absence of explicit guidance from the Foreign Office dissuading non-essential travel, standard booking terms for package holidays will apply — meaning that in most situations, you will not qualify for a refund. For flights, accommodations, short-term rentals like Airbnb, and car rentals, the general principle is that if the service you reserved is still available and is not directly impacted by the wildfires, you are not entitled to a refund.

Am I protected by my travel insurance?

In certain scenarios — typically with higher-priced policies — you may have insurance for cancellations, interruptions, or disruptions resulting from wildfires. “This could cover you if you cannot occupy your booked lodging due to the fire,” states the insurance provider Avanti. “You would have the option to relocate to different accommodations so you can continue your vacation. The wildfires must have been unforeseen at the time you purchased your policy or booked your journey, whichever was later.”

I’m currently vacationing in LA. What should I do?

If you find yourself in an area impacted by wildfires, adhere to local recommendations from the alerts section of the Los Angeles Fire Department and the County of Los Angeles. Once you are in a secure location, you should also reach out to your tour operator, airline, or travel agency. If you are scheduled to return home within the next 48 hours, you should contact your airline — or download the airline app — to verify your flight status.

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