The Palisades fires occurred primarily in early January 2025. The initial small fire, known as the Lachman Fire, started around midnight on January 1, 2025, near Pacific Palisades but was thought to be fully contained by January 2. However, embers from this fire smoldered underground, and on January 7, 2025, heavy Santa Ana winds caused those embers to reignite, leading to the larger and more destructive Palisades Fire. This major wildfire burned from January 7 to January 31, 2025, devastating large areas including Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu, and became one of the deadliest and most destructive fires in Los Angeles history.
There was also a separate Palisades Fire in May 2021, which burned about 1,202 acres and was fully contained by May 26, 2021. This was a much smaller fire compared to the 2025 event.
In summary:
- Lachman Fire started on January 1, 2025 (thought contained by January 2)
- Palisades Fire reignited and grew on January 7, 2025
- Palisades Fire fully contained by January 31, 2025
- Smaller, unrelated Palisades Fire event occurred in May 2021
This timeline clarifies the occurrence and progression of the Palisades fires in recent years.