Although the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu reopened on Sunday, the general public is still not allowed into the Palisades area, causing some confusion among drivers.
Officials set up checkpoints around the Pacific Palisades area, requiring IDs at neighborhood turnoffs, giving residents affected by the fire a chance to visit their homes in privacy.
This was a huge relief to many residents who were concerned about looting and squatting and people coming by just to see the damage.
“I’m glad they decided to keep the area closed,” Laura Diamond, a resident who lost her Pacific Palisades home, told KTLA’s Rachel Menitoff. “It’s my first time back and to think of people not from the area driving by to watch what’s a very emotional experience would be very hard.”
In an update on X Sunday afternoon, Caltrans said there are still lane closures in place, and that motorists should expect major delays in the Pacific Palisades.
According to the post, the PCH is closed to the public between Coastline Drive and Entrada Drive, and there is an active work zone between Carbon Beach Terrace and Coastline – leaving one lane open in each direction.
Some agencies, including the Mayor of Malibu, have been critical of the city of Los Angeles – saying that last minute changes to the plan appear uncoordinated and disruptive.
However, Mayor Karen Bass said it’s all very fluid, and that the decision to keep the checkpoints and restricted access came after Governor Newsom agreed to offer up more state resources.
Starting on Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department will hand over control of the checkpoints to CHP and the National Guard, freeing up the department to respond to other city-wide emergencies.
