Pacific Palisades Rebuilding One Year After Wildfires

One year after the Palisades and Eaton fires devastated Southern California, Pacific Palisades displays a stark mix of destruction and renewal. The wildfires, ignited on January 7, 2025, burned through 38,000 acres and obliterated over 16,000 structures, resulting in at least 31 fatalities.

Recent imagery from January 6, 2026, captures the current state of the region:

• Empty lots dominate the coastline where homes once stood
• Commercial hubs like Palisades Village are nearing completion
• Palisades High School is preparing for student return on January 13
• Historic structures remain as ruins

Despite visible progress in business districts, residential recovery remains slow. According to the Pacific Palisades Community Council, only 13% of homeowners have initiated rebuilding efforts, highlighting the long road ahead for full community restoration.

The Palisades and Eaton fires began on January 7, 2025, fueled by windstorms that rapidly propelled flames across Southern California. According to the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, the fires consumed 38,000 acres and destroyed over 16,000 homes and businesses.

At least 31 people lost their lives in the disaster. One year later, the physical evidence of the devastation remains widespread. Aerial views reveal extensive damage across the Pacific Palisades area.

Along the Pacific Palisades coastline, numerous empty lots mark the landscape where homes previously stood. The Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Estates was completely destroyed, leaving only remnants visible from the cliffs.

The destruction was not limited to residential areas. The Pacific Palisades Business Block, a historic building completed in 1924, was reduced to twisted scrap metal. The ruins stand as a stark reminder of the fire's intensity.

While residential areas struggle to recover, commercial sectors in Pacific Palisades are making significant strides toward reopening. Palisades Village on Sunset Boulevard is nearly ready to welcome visitors back.

Construction workers are actively restoring the center's shops and restaurants. Photos show workers preparing the site for opening, indicating that the timeline for reopening is imminent. Specifically, a Chase Bank located within Palisades Village appears almost fully restored, with workers putting the finishing touches on signage.

However, not all businesses have fared as well. A Bank of America building on Sunset Boulevard remains largely destroyed. Aside from its burned-out facade, very little of the structure survives, though telecommunications workers were observed on the site.

The contrast between the rebuilt Chase Bank and the ruined Bank of America illustrates the uneven nature of the recovery process across different properties.

Rebuilding efforts extend beyond commerce to essential community infrastructure, most notably schools. Palisades High School, which sustained fire damage, is scheduled to reopen in the new year.

Construction crews are currently working on the school's swimming pool and other facilities. The campus is set to welcome its first group of students back on January 13. This reopening represents a critical step toward normalcy for local families.

Infrastructure repair is visible throughout the zone. Aerial views show a mix of empty lots and homes under construction, signaling that some residents are moving forward with rebuilding plans despite the challenges.

The presence of construction activity suggests that while the pace may be slow, the community is actively engaged in the restoration process.

Despite the activity seen in commercial and educational sectors, the residential recovery in Pacific Palisades faces significant hurdles. Data from the Pacific Palisades Community Council reveals a sobering statistic: only 13% of single-family homeowners have begun rebuilding their homes.

This low percentage highlights the complexity and duration of the recovery process. While aerial photos show some homes under construction, the vast majority of residential lots remain empty or cleared but untouched by new construction.

The slow pace of residential rebuilding suggests that homeowners are navigating various obstacles, likely including insurance settlements, permitting processes, and the emotional toll of the disaster.

As the community looks toward the future, the gap between commercial progress and residential recovery remains the most pressing challenge facing Pacific Palisades.