𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗘: Army Corps Clears Fire-Damaged Homes Along PCH in Malibu

On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) continued Phase Two of the Palisades Fire recovery along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Malibu. Crews focused on clearing fire-damaged properties, removing hazardous ash, structural remains, and other debris to prepare sites for rebuilding.​

Earlier in the week, USACE installed K-rails—concrete barriers commonly known as Jersey barriers—along PCH to create safe work zones for contractors operating heavy equipment. These measures aim to protect workers and facilitate reconstruction efforts.​

Property owners are required to submit Right of Entry forms to authorize debris removal. USACE estimates that approximately 4.5 million tons of debris will be cleared in the coming months, ensuring environmental compliance and safe rebuilding conditions.​

Due to rain and potential mudslides, PCH was closed to residents on Wednesday. Strict access controls remain in place, with National Guard troops, Los Angeles Police Department officers, Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies, and California Highway Patrol (CHP) personnel manning checkpoints. CHP officers are enforcing a temporary 25-mph speed limit to accommodate ongoing cleanup and reconstruction efforts.​

The Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, rapidly expanded due to severe drought conditions and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds reaching 100 mph. The wildfire scorched 23,448 acres, destroyed 6,837 structures, and displaced over 100,000 residents across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and surrounding areas. The fire resulted in 12 fatalities and multiple injuries before being fully contained on January 31, 2025.​

Recovery efforts remain ongoing as authorities work to rebuild and restore the affected communities.
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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝘀𝗲. 𝗔𝗻𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗿𝗲-𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱.

© 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘄𝗸𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗰𝘇/𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱.
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Fabian Lewkowicz, an award-winning photojournalist based in Santa Monica, is the creator of Santa Monica Closeup. With experience across various news outlets, he captures the city's vibrant life through compelling imagery and storytelling. His work, showcased in museums, galleries, and public spaces, highlights Santa Monica’s landscapes, culture, and diverse community

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TAGS: Photojournalism, Photojournalist, Documentary, Cinema Verite, Fly-on-the-wall, Observational Photography, Press Photography, SMCU, SM©U

[sandraking]

How very fortunate we are to have you record this for us day after day. I hope you can continue to do this for the years yet to come. We are so used to clip news and then it is gone from the minds of those who are not there and still experiencing the loss and healing.

[Connie-E]

I love your updates that we don't get from the news. The cleanup and rebuilding projects are very interesting. To be able to see the entire process
of how this tragedy is really amazing. Thank you

[VICTORBARYSHOV]

Safety and security techniques. Impressive.

[marykrueger]

Thank for the update. I thought the EPA was going to clean up all the hazardous stuff up. And we still see cars in recent videos and propane tanks.Is this the Army Corp or someone else? UNBELIEVABLE

[skb]

What a Trooper you are, out there in that miserable weather. 👏👏

[lemondropkid]

all those workmen - just the place for a food truck! Hope they all get good lunches after all that work. Thanks for keeping us informed. So much to do. I saw a clip about a mobile home park where the owner has refused to let the EPA in to clean it up, Pacific Palisades Bowl. Hundreds of mobile home owners in limbo. You can be the uncooperative owner wants to make the most of this tragedy.

[stephenwinter]

Greetings santa Monica closeup from Ontario Canada thanks for sharing this video about the cleaning up along the PCH it's very much appreciated take care bro your the best

[anitagendler]

Thanks for these great videos! It’s encouraging to see progress in the burn areas! 😮

[MadilynSendangan]

Mar15 love u guys miss u ampeng nice dance nice dance nice atayear so

[oriolesfan]

I certainly hope after the demolition and the land is cleared, it's all restored back to natural beauty. In short, zero rebuild.

[Realroyrogers]

It's like totally ironic that if this rain had came few days before the fire we wouldn't be standing here

[DanTaron-lo]

so many people just standing around. This is going to take years

[msvicki-kdzp]

What happens to the few homes that didn't burn but the surrounding area is destroyed. Can those people still stay in their home during this process? 😢

[gualbertogarcia]

REDO ALL THE ELECTRIC LINES, ON
THE PCH UNDERGROUND !
“ALSO”, REDO ALL THE SEWAGE SYSTEMS
ON THE PCH ! NO MORE SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS FOR HOUSES ! THIS “MESS”
HAS TO BE REDONE RIGHT !

[alirobenavides]

Saludos, cómo estás amigo todo bien, ? buen día buen reportaje, después del incendio están arreglando, bien, hasta la vista veivi 🌲 gracias 🌲🌳🌴,

[deanturchi]

8 dump trucks…….at this rate it will 2050 before its rebuilt

[rickski]

great stuff (that you can get in there and record i'm surprised that sweeper didn't have "beep beep beep" when backing up ...⚠

[VICTORBARYSHOV]

The negative effect of the drizzling rain is felt significantly.

[johnjaco]

At this rate it will take ten years for just the clean up.

[deanturchi]

Why is our military not there helping?