While seeing fire in the hills this week may be traumatic for Pacific Palisades residents, Federal officials believe the controlled blazes may help them finally determine what caused the deadly Palisades Fire.
The public is being asked to avoid the Temescal Ridge Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains tonight through Thursday while the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducts controlled fire testing.
The testing will begin Tuesday evening between Skull Rock and Green Peak, according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department. That’s close to what is believed to be ground zero of the massive Palisades Fire in mid-January which scorched more than 34,000 acres, took 12 lives and destroyed close to 7,000 structures.
“While this scientific testing will periodically include open flame in a small area that may be visible at a distance, it does not involve the burning of vegetation,” Humphrey said. “Los Angeles Fire Department personnel will be present before, during, and after all testing to ensure public safety and environmental protection.”
The Palisades Fire was first detected around 10:30 a.m. Jan. 7 near Skull Rock. This week’s ignitions will hopefully help investigators pinpoint the fire’s exact origin and whether it was a rekindling of the Lachman Fire, an eight-acre blaze in the early morning of January 1 near Via La Costa in the Palisades. The Lachman Fire was sparked by fireworks, and first responders believed they had completely cleaned it up that same day.
Investigators have been combing the area near Skull Rock in the months since to try and model what might have happened. This week’s ignitions will be part of that process.
There will be no provisions for media or public access due to the terrain and logistics, Humphrey said, adding that aircraft/drone pilots were instructed to follow any FAA-issued restrictions for the area.
“During this time period, there is no cause for public concern, or need to report the small testing flames that may be periodically visible near Tesmescal Ridge to 911,” he said.
Additionally, Firefighters are conducting a prescribed fire of brush piles near the Rincon Fire Station and state Route 39, Angeles National Forest officials report. Smoke may be visible in Azusa, Glendora and surrounding communities.
City News Service contributed to this report.
