Certain members of the community received this text last night from the LA police officer in charge of the Palisades:

“Good Evening Everyone,

I appreciate everyone’s patience while we are all still dealing with the active fire that has ravaged our community. While some may believe that the danger has passed in some areas, unfortunately this is not the case. The wind continues to push the fire in differing directions, and it is still a very dangerous and hazardous environment all throughout the Palisades. The fire has now expanded into the Brentwood and San Fernando valley areas. With this expansion of the fire and the number of available Officers we have to cover the entire fire zone, our patrol resources are at critical mass. 

The resources we have been using to conduct police escorts has put a strain on our ability to assist LAFD and adequately patrol our evacuated and vulnerable neighborhoods. I understand that everyone would like to retrieve their medications and check on their homes, but we are not able to safely sustain the sheer volume of residents that want an escort into the area. The Command Post has expressed concern with the amount of traffic going in and out of the mandatory evacuation area impacting emergency operations. For every time we go in and out of the area, we pose a potential risk too our officers, the public and especially the fire department personnel that are still actively working in the area. With this being said we will be halting the police escorts into the evacuation zone for the time being. No one other than emergency personnel will be allowed into the area. 

We recommend contacting your nearest pharmacy to have an emergency prescription filled, explaining that you had to evacuate due to the fire.

I understand the frustration with having to wait for so long to get back to our homes to check on them. But in these unprecedented times we must prioritize our precious resources to focus on the ongoing threat. We need to keep the area clear for our firefighters and our officers focused on supporting those efforts while also keeping an eye out for any potential looting, search and rescue efforts for missing persons, and protecting crime scenes in the event evidence of arson is discovered. 

We can only imagine the uncertainty and anxiety that you are facing, but we ask for your continued patience and support. 

Please do not come to any check points asking to access your residence as you will be turned away. Please do not try and access the area by the beach as you will similarly be turned away. 

Please also pass this on to anyone who is affected by the Palisades Fire.”