Possible Connection Between Pacific Palisades Fires Investigated

The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

A recent wildfire in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles has sparked speculation about a potential link to a previous fire that occurred just days earlier. Satellite images reviewed by sources indicate that the Palisades Fire, which began on January 7, started in close proximity to the location of a fire that firefighters had battled on New Year's Day.

The analysis of satellite imagery from the European Space Agency and video footage from a UC San Diego wildfire camera revealed that the Palisades Fire originated less than 300 yards from the center of the burn scar left by the earlier fire. The smoke plume from the Palisades Fire was observed to overlap with the previous burn scar, further fueling suspicions of a connection between the two incidents.

Dispatch recordings from the Los Angeles County Fire Department also provided insights into the proximity of the fires' origins. A firefighter reported over the dispatch radio that the foot of the Palisades Fire started very close to where the New Year's Day fire had occurred.

Smoke plume from Palisades Fire overlapped with earlier burn scar.

Satellite images suggest Palisades Fire started near previous fire's burn scar.

Dispatch recordings indicate Palisades Fire originated close to New Year's Day fire site.

Experts, including Luca Carmignani, an assistant professor at San Diego State University specializing in wildfires, have suggested that smoldering debris from the earlier fire could have potentially reignited due to windy conditions, leading to the ignition of the Palisades Fire. Carmignani explained that embers inside wood and other smoldering fuels can remain undetected for days or even weeks before rekindling under the right circumstances.

While officials have emphasized that the cause of the Palisades Fire is still under investigation, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley stated that there is currently no information indicating a direct connection between the two fires. However, she assured that a thorough examination of every detail would be conducted to determine the cause of the blaze.

The proximity of the two fires and the possibility of rekindling from the earlier fire highlight the complex nature of wildfire behavior and the challenges faced by firefighters in preventing and containing such incidents.