2025 PALISADES FIRE & WINDSTORM
AFTER-ACTION REPORT
SEPTEMBER 2026
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Palisades Fire
Background
Most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles City history
• January 7, 2025 – January 31, 2025
• 23,448 acres burned
• Twelve persons killed
• Over 6,000 structures were destroyed
• No Santa Monica acres/structures impacted
Santa Monica’s Primary Response Activities
• Firefighting monitoring and coordination to prevent fire spread into City
• Evacuation and security protection of local homes and businesses at imminent risk
• Removal of downed trees and other wind debris
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
After-Action Report Methodology
• City Council directed to capture lessons learned and better prepare • Jacob Green & Associates (JGA) selected by public safety leadership to conduct independent report
JGA Process
• Compliant with California Office of Emergency Services standards • Documentation Review
• Relevant emergency plans and policies
• Incident documents, public communications, e-mails
• Interviews
• Councilmembers
• City leadership and staff, former and current
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Key Findings
Early Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
activation supported effective multidepartmental coordination and resource management. SMFD proactively upstaffed based on Potential Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning and
formed In-City Task Force to patrol high-risk fire
areas. SMPD’s Curfew Order was a force multiplier to
significantly reduce unauthorized access and
criminal activity in evacuation zones.
Communications Team prioritized message
accuracy and effectively utilized multiple
communications platforms to provide public
information and correct misinformation. Public Works provided critical risk mitigation through large-scale debris removal, reducing fire
ignition sources, and protecting water pressure
zones.
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Key Findings
Scheduled leadership absences created
additional demands on emergency
management leadership and department
heads.
City Council, many who were new to their role,
needed additional training in city emergency
operations and communications verification
and approval process.
Minor communications challenges occurred
between law enforcement mutual aid and
transportation agencies.
In March 2025, Cal FIRE issued updated Fire
Hazard Severity Zone maps, identifying areas of
Santa Monica in the Very High, High and
Moderate risk categories.
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Improvement Plan
Consultant provided 36 recommendations to build stronger emergency planning and response capabilities in the following areas:
• Public Information, Communications & Elected Official Coordination (8) • Emergency Operations Center Governance and Staffing (4) • Emergency Management Program Development (3)
• Fire Department Operations and Interagency Coordination (4) • Police Department Operations and Security (5)
• Evacuation Planning & Traffic Management (3)
• Public Works, Utilities, and Field Safety (4)
• Training, Exercises, and Community Preparedness (4)
• Citywide Planning (1)
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September 22, 2026
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Evaluation & Monitoring
• Multiple departments are responsible for Improvement Plan evaluation and implementation
• Lead and support departments identified
• Emergency Services & Preparedness Unit has created tracking form to document departments' quarterly progress
• Strengthening areas identified in After-Action Report will better prepare City for LA28 Olympics and Paralympics
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
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September 22, 2026
Alignment with Other Initiatives
City planning tools have been updated to incorporate Palisades Fire information and prioritized wildfire mitigation and response improvements • Safety Element of the General Plan (Feb 2025)
• Municipal Code Chapter 8.46 to designate Santa Monica Fire Hazard Severity Zones (June 2025)
• Aging and Disability Plan (Sept 2025)
• Six actions identified to build inclusive emergency preparedness • Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (Oct 2025)
• Wildfire and climate change risk
• 5-year mitigation action plan
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Progress to
Date
• 76% increase in identified EOC staff,
representing all city departments,
including Legislative Liaisons
• Updated Santa Monica evacuation
zones and nomenclature, aligning
with local hazards
• City evacuation planning team
working to complete
robust evacuation plan
• Evaluating additional evacuation
technology and resources
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Progress to
Date
• SMFD upstaffing and emergency
tiered recall policy created
• Information Services created
mapping tool to better identify
vulnerable communities in Fire
Hazard Severity and Evacuation
Zones
• Roll-out of SMFD Community
Connect platform
• 11 SMPD leadership completed
week-long all-hazards incident
management training, 9 more to
scheduled by end of year
Santamonica.gov/Local-Responsibility-Area-Fire-Hazard-Severity-Zones Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
More Progress to Come
• Fire Hazard Severity Zone education campaign
• Hazard/preparedness educational materials featuring evacuation information • Council Disaster Handbook and training
• Emergency Operations Plan with policy updates
• Crisis Communications Annex
Anticipated Challenges
• Department and staff participation / buy-in
• Staffing and bandwidth
• Preparedness vs. Response vs. Special Event Planning
• Funding for technology, contract services, training
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Report & Wildfire
Preparedness
Information
santamonica.gov/how-to-preparefor-wildfires-in-santa-monica Item 11-A
September 22, 2026
Item 11-A
September 22, 2026