Pacific Palisades Wildfire Escape: Families Share Last-Minute Decisions in the Face of Danger
In recent months, Jon Oei’s parents, living in the highlands of Pacific Palisades, have faced multiple evacuation orders due to nearby wildfires. The most recent evacuation came early on New Year’s Eve, highlighting the ongoing wildfire threat in the area.
On a Tuesday morning, when a wildfire ignited not far from the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, Oei’s family didn’t immediately evacuate. By 10:30 AM, however, smoke could creep over the hills, signaling the wildfire’s rapid spread due to strong winds.
Oei, who was staying with his parents, knew the only road out of their Pacific Palisades neighborhood would quickly become congested with traffic following the first evacuation call. As the fire intensified, long traffic jams and abandoned vehicles filled the streets, with residents opting to walk instead of waiting.
Despite the danger, Oei’s family waited as the fire moved in the opposite direction, towards Malibu. It wasn’t until after 5 PM that they decided to evacuate, realizing the advancing flames could soon block the one road leading out of Pacific Palisades. “How long can I stay before I can’t leave anymore?” Oei reflected, adding that many residents faced the same agonizing decision.
By the time Oei’s family fled, many neighbors had already left. The drive down towards the ocean was eerie; the lights were out, and parts of the land on both sides of Pacific Palisades Drive were on fire. They eventually made it to safety in Santa Monica, but the trauma of the experience remained.
Pacific Palisades, an affluent community nestled between the Pacific beaches and the Santa Monica mountains, is no stranger to wildfires. The area’s natural beauty, while stunning, makes it vulnerable to the rapid spread of flames. Kelsey Trainor, a resident, recalled how the only road in and out of her Pacific Palisades neighborhood was blocked by fire, with people fleeing their vehicles amidst burning ash.
Another resident, Will Adams, shared how his wife’s car was nearly engulfed by flying embers during her evacuation. “One home’s safe, the other one’s up in flames,” he said, witnessing the stark contrast between safety and destruction within the same community.
Though the wildfire threat in Pacific Palisades may seem shocking to some, Oei explained that repeated exposure to such disasters has made residents more accustomed to evacuations. His parents, who have lived in Pacific Palisades for over three decades, were prepared, and Oei believes many residents in the area already have emergency plans in place. “We’re used to it,” he said, reflecting on the constant danger wildfires pose to the community.
