Investigators Search Scorched Slope for Clues on Palisades Fire Origin
Authorities are piecing together evidence to determine how the devastating Palisades Fire ignited, leaving destruction in its wake.
Palisades Fire, Los Angeles, California, Wildfire, Investigation
Los Angeles: Just a week after the Palisades Fire tore through the area, the cause is still a mystery. It devastated communities and tragically took at least eight lives.
Investigators are focusing their efforts on a burned ridgeline in western Los Angeles. This area overlooks a neighborhood in Pacific Palisades and has a popular hiking trail. Interestingly, there was a small fire just days before the big one.
Figuring out what caused the fire could take a while. Investigators are gathering videos, photos, and witness accounts. They’re also looking at 911 calls for any clues.
Colin and Dylan Fields were trying to save their home from the flames on January 7. Jose Medina, an acting special agent, mentioned that they have a large team working on this case. He assured the community that they will get answers, but it will take time.
So far, no conclusions have been reached. However, investigators are looking into possible human causes. This could include arson, accidental sparks, or even fireworks. They’re also considering if the earlier fire might have rekindled.
They’re searching the area where the fire started, looking for any tiny clues that could help. Trained investigators can read the patterns left by the fire on the landscape, which can point them to where it began.
Ed Nordskog, a retired fire investigator, explained that understanding these patterns can quickly reveal the fire’s origin. They narrow down the search area and look for small items that could provide answers.
The ATF is leading the investigation, working alongside local authorities. They’re also looking into other fires that broke out around the same time, which caused massive destruction across Los Angeles County.
The Palisades Fire is particularly challenging to explain due to the many factors involved. There’s a lot of public speculation about whether the earlier fire was responsible.
The first fire ignited on January 1, but it was quickly contained. It wasn’t until six days later that the larger fire broke out, catching many off guard.
Darrin Hurwitz, who was hiking that morning, noticed some charred vegetation but didn’t think much of it. Sadly, his home was destroyed later that day as the fire spread.
As the fire grew, trail runners and residents began to see flames and smoke. The close timing of the two fires has led to questions about whether the second fire was a rekindling of the first.
Experts are divided on this theory. While it’s possible for embers to stay hot for days, the conditions in Pacific Palisades make it less likely. Scott Sweetow, a former ATF investigator, believes rekindling is improbable in this case.
In the end, the investigation continues, and the community is left waiting for answers.