An analysis of fire evacuation procedures in Pacific Palisades

Approximately 24 days after their start, the horrific fires in Southern California (Altadena and Pacific Palisades) are finally 100% contained. There are various ongoing investigations as to their true origins, but what’s becoming quite clear already is that the emergency alert systems California has in place and the communication between government agencies fighting wildfires, needs a complete overhaul.

The Los Angeles Times posted this minute-by-minute analysis of the wildfire’s start in the Pacific Palisades and the subsequent confusion surrounding the evacuation procedures. Fire agencies and government agencies were slow to react and pass along information during the fast-moving fire. Much of the gridlock that prevented people from swiftly evacuating also prevented firefighters from reaching homes and hillsides where the fire continued to spread.

Maybe in the end there was nothing anybody could do to combat mother nature in this scenario, but there are undoubtedly lessons to be learned here about wildfire communication for future events like this.