Wildfire Preparedness in Santa Monica

For Los Angeles County regional wildfire recovery information, please visit: santamonica.gov-Palisades Fire

Wildfires are spontaneous, unpredictable and dangerous hazards that cause devastation to Californian lives, property and community. Each year, the state of California sees devastating impacts from wildfires which last for years. It is important for all communities to prepare for wildfires, even if you do not live within a high fire danger area.

If a wildfire occurs near Santa Monica, residents may be impacted by evacuations, freeway closures, utility disruptions, and poor air quality. Even if you are not in a wildfire area, we encourage everyone to prepare for wildfires. Here are some tips:

READY: If you live in northern sections of Santa Monica, help firefighters by removing excess vegetation and tree branches that are near or touching your home. Create separation between your home and trees, shrubs, and other items that could catch fire. Find recommendations here: Ready-set-go.

SET: Northern areas of Santa Monica are at the greatest risk of wildfire evacuations. Have an Evacuation Checklist and Bag ready, especially if a Red Flag Warning is in the forecast. Include disaster kit basics with essentials for each household member, medications, and important documents. Make a checklist of all sentimental valuables you'd want to take with you if you only had 5 minutes or 20 minutes to leave. If you have to evacuate, ensure you have a plan to take your pet(s) with you. Check with your neighbors to ensure they know about the Red Flag Warning conditions and if they need any assistance. If you are traveling away from your home during Red Flag Warning periods, always have a small disaster kit in your car and always travel with at least half a tank of gasoline.

GO: If a wildland fire threatens your area or an evacuation zone is implemented for your area, prepare to leave. Evacuate early or evacuate immediately when told to do so. Evacuation notifications will be sent by phone/text emergency alert and law enforcement personnel conducting neighborhood patrols. Follow public safety official directions.

Know the risk of places you visit and avoid these areas when under Red Flag conditions. The Santa Monica Mountains and many locations throughout LA County and California are in wildfire risk zones. If you are going out into the mountains, "Know, before you go." Prior to leaving home, check the status of the location you will be visiting to find out if it's in a wildfire risk location and what weather conditions are in place. Check the Fire Risk at your California camping sites or hiking trails at myhazards.caloes.ca.gov. When in areas with heightened risk, have an escape plan with two evacuation routes out of the area and sign up for the area's local emergency alerts. If wildfires are burning nearby or Red Flag Warnings are in place, please cancel your visit.

During the 2025 Palisades Fire, wildfire activity north of Santa Monica prompted the city to implement unprecedented evacuation measures to protect public safety. An independent After Action Report, undertaken at the direction of Santa Monica City Council, was conducted to evaluate the City's coordination, communication and operational response to the January 2025 Palisades Fire and extreme wind event. Please find the report posted under May 2026 City Council Information Item. Santa Monica City Council

For more information on wildfire preparedness, please visit CAL Fire Prepare for Wildfire site: www.readyforwildfire.org.

Learn more about preparing for other Santa Monica hazards here.

FAQ

What is the difference between an Evacuation Order and an Evacuation Warning?

An Evacuation Order is a lawful order to immediately leave the area. An Evacuation Order is designated when public safety officials declare an area to be unsafe due to an immediate threat to life. An Evacuation Order deems an area closed to public access and all persons within the designated area are required to leave and seek alternative shelter. Law enforcement will close the area to the public. Residents will likely not be allowed to access these areas, even to retrieve items out of their home. Be sure to take critical items, like medications, pets, and other necessities and sentimental valuables with you.
An Evacuation Warning is the designation of an area which is potentially in the path of danger. Persons should prepare their households for evacuation, staging their evacuation supplies and preparing to implement their evacuation plan. Persons who need extra time to evacuate and those that need to find accommodations for pets should consider evacuating early.

How do I prepare for wildfire smoke?

Wildfires are dangerous, but wildfire smoke can also harm you in multiple ways. Smoke emitting from local fires, can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. If you notice smoke in the area, ash, or local officials advise members of the public to take precaution, please do so as soon as possible.

Click here to monitor local air quality reports.
If air quality is Unhealthy, you can smell smoke or see ash, close windows, doors, and other sources where smoke particles can enter your place of shelter.
Do not use devices that vent to the outdoors or have a fresh air intake. This may include bathroom and kitchen fans or air conditioners.
Do not rely on dust masks. These masks will not protect your lungs from smaller smoke particles. An N95 mask, properly worn, will offer some protection. If you decide to wear an N95 mask, make sure the mask has a tight seal around your nose and mouth.
Avoid or cancel outdoor recreation. The City of Santa Monica will cancel or limit programming during periods of elevated wildfire smoke. It is highly advised, that people refrain from conducting outdoor activities as much as possible, or utilize proper PPE such as N95 respirators.
Consider adding N95 masks and a portable air cleaner to your emergency kit. If you have chronic health conditions, talk to your healthcare provider about how to protect yourself against wildfire impacts.

When should I be concerned about air quality during a wildfire?

The Air Quality Index (AQI) divides air quality into six different levels. When the air quality is unhealthy for those in sensitive groups (Orange Level - AQI 101-150), persons with certain health conditions may want to take steps to reduce exposure to outdoor air. When smoke levels reach unhealthy levels (Red, Purple, Maroon levels - AQI +150) everyone should try to stay indoors with windows and doors closed as much as possible. The City of Santa Monica will make changes to outdoor programming such as sports activities and the Farmers' Markets, if unhealthy air quality levels are met for an extended period of time. Use the Fire and Smoke map found here to monitor conditions.

How will I be notified of a wildfire in my area or smoke/unhealthy air quality hazards?

Sign up for SM Alerts to receive notifications about local brushfires and unhealthy air quality in Santa Monica during wildfire events and impacts to City programming. Click here to find more information.
If you travel or hike frequently in areas where there is wildfire risk, sign up for emergency alerts in the areas that you frequent, especially if they are prone to wildland fires. To find emergency mass notification systems across LA County, click here.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are emergency alerts pushed to cell phones, regardless of pre-registration. However, Wireless Emergency Alerts are sent to your cell phone's carrier for distribution; therefore, if you are not in cell phone range or do not have service, it is unlikely that you will receive a wireless emergency alert. Prior to going into areas without cell connectivity, share your trip with someone back at home. Let them know your path, camping location and expected return time (or date). Be extra mindful of red flag conditions, campfire and stove restrictions, and consider alternate plans when expected weather conditions begin to cause safety concerns.

How do wildfires start?

There are many sources of ignition for wildfires, but most fires start due to human factors such cigarettes, automobiles, motorcycles, uncontrolled campfires and utility systems. Alternatively, wildfires can start based on embers flying from uncontrolled heat sources, lightning and refracted/reflected light.

During Red Flag Warning periods, it is important to use extreme caution and avoid doing any activity related to burning, fire or sparks including the use of outdoor fire pits, grills, or power equipment.

What is a debris flow and why does the risk of a flood or debris flow increase after a wildfire?

Landscapes can be radically changed by a wildfire and areas once abundant with vegetation can be reduced to ashes and dry soil. The change leaves a noticeable mark on the land and is often referred to as a burn scar. These areas can be dangerous during rain events because the soil is unable to absorb the water, and even light to moderate rain events can lead to flooding and debris flows.

Debris flows are fast-moving landslides that generally occur during periods of intense rainfall. Debris flows traveling 35mph can carry large amounts of water and debris, including boulders, trees, and cars, downslope and outside the burn area. Debris flows can happen without notice; therefore, it is important to know if you live near a burn scar prior to a rain event. Those living in or near a burn scar area should monitor weather conditions, sign up for local emergency alerts, and be prepared for evacuations during forecasted thunderstorm or flooding events.