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Santa Monica Remains on Fire Alert
 
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By Jorge Casuso

January 12, 2025 -- All but one Santa Monica public school will open on Monday and City services will largely return to normal, but curfews remain in place in evacuation zones as winds pick up and police continue making arrests.

Since Santa Monica began issuing evacuation orders for the Pacific Palisades fire last Tuesday, police officers have made 39 arrests in the evacuation zones, SMPD officials reported.

This includes 10 arrests for burglary and 6 for possessing burglary tools, officials said. The others were for drug possession, driving violations, warrants and parole/probation violations.

"None of those arrested are from the local area," according to SMPD's X page. Three of the arrests for possession of burglary tools were made Saturday night near an evacuation zone.

As of Sunday evening, mandatory Evacuation Orders remained in place for the area north of San Vicente Boulevard, where public access is not allowed.

An Evacuation Warning is still in place north of Montana Avenue to San Vicente Boulevard, where residents can return to the area.

Those who choose to return "should remain prepared with gathered essentials and be ready to leave if conditions worsen," City officials said.

A curfew in both areas is still in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., with SMPD and California National Guard personnel "present and visible," officials said.

Residents in the evacuation warning area should continue to be vigilant and have evacuation plans in place as low humidity and dry conditions continue, with winds expected to increase. For the evacuation map click HERE.

The National Weather Service’s Red Flag Warning will be in effect through Wednesday, indicating "unpredictable and dangerous fire conditions."

"Wind gusts could reach up to 30 mph in Santa Monica and up to 50 to 75 mph in the mountain areas where the Palisades Fire is still actively burning," City officials said in an update Sunday.

"Fires can grow at a very rapid pace, as has occurred throughout the course of this emergency, with high winds carrying fire embers to new areas where spot fires ignited and spread," officials warned.

"Evacuation orders and warnings will be lifted as soon as it’s determined that a fire is no longer a threat to the area."

In previously evacuated areas, City Public Works teams have "made significant progress" cleaning up debris and "continue to work systematically through the city," officials said.

"Crews will cover every street and alley in the city, so residents are asked to please refrain from submitting individual 311 requests."

On Sunday, regularly scheduled city services, such as street sweeping, trash pickup and tree cleanup, began in the evacuation warning area between Montana Avenue and San Vicente.

Services in the area north of San Vicente will not resume until the mandatory Evacuation Order is changed to an Evacuation Warning.

"If residents find large pieces of ash or debris around their home, they should let it sit and cool in a metal can for a few days, covered, then dispose in the black trash container," officials said.

All Santa Monica schools, except for Roosevelt Elementary, which is located in the evacuation warning zone, will be open Monday, District officials said.

Schools in the city will be operating on an inclement weather schedule, while those in Malibu will remain closed.

For the latest updates click HERE


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