PACIFIC PALISADES, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — As federal investigators continue their probe into the cause of the deadly palisades Fire, some residents believe the blaze may have started nearly a week earlier.
investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are narrowing in on a hillside above a neighborhood in the Palisades Highlands area. Officials say the team will conduct an origin and cause examination of the Pacific Palisades fire.Residents who live nearby believe the destructive Jan. 7 fire could have been a re-ignition of a brush fire that occurred in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day.
Jeremy Wineberg, who lives in the Palisades Highlands, says the New Year’s Day fire went ignored.
“The story kind of came and went. No one knew about the fire,” Wineberg said.
The Jan. 1 fire burned less than 10 acres near Wineberg’s home. Wineberg and other residents say the mop-up effort following that fire was fast.
“This was negligence on monitoring that fire jan.1 and making sure it was wholly burned out to make sure that this didn’t happen again,” Wineberg said.
Wineberg lives south of the Skull Rock Trailhead and says the smoke from both fires was in the same location.
Key Points Summary
Table of Contents
| Event | Details |
|————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| New Year’s Day Fire | Burned less than 10 acres; residents claim it was ignored and not fully monitored. |
| jan. 7 Palisades Fire | investigators focus on a hillside in the Palisades Highlands; believed to be a re-ignition of the earlier fire. |
| Residents’ Concerns | Jeremy Wineberg and others allege negligence in monitoring the initial fire. |
The investigation into the Palisades Fire remains ongoing, with residents urging authorities to ensure such incidents are prevented in the future.
For more updates on the investigation, follow the latest developments here.The devastating Palisades Fire, which erupted on January 7, 2025, has left a trail of destruction, burning over 23,000 acres and destroying more than 2,000 structures, according to calfire. The origins of this catastrophic event may be linked to a smaller fire that occurred on New Year’s Day, just six days prior. Satellite images reveal a striking connection: the burn scar from the January 1 fire and the starting point of the Palisades Fire are near the Skull Rock Trailhead, a popular hiking destination known for its stunning views of the Pacific Ocean [[1]].
“Is there a connection? One hundred percent there’s a connection,” said Wineberg,a resident whose home was the only one lost on his block. “Standing in the exact same x mark, looking in the same direction, you’ll see the same cloud of smoke in the exact same spot,” he added. Wineberg shared surveillance video with Eyewitness News, capturing the moment alarms sounded as the fire consumed his home.
The New Year’s Day fire, which burned eight acres without damaging any structures, is believed to have been caused by fireworks. Eric Robertson, one of the first 911 callers on January 7, recounted, “We were in the neighborhood in the morning of New Year’s, and we were mostly in the neighborhood all day and we heard some fireworks going off around us.” He speculated that strong winds could have uncovered buried embers, reigniting the fire. “The winds were strong enough to uncover six inches of dirt, certainly, if the previous firefighters had shoveled and if embers were buried, maybe,” Robertson said.
Another resident captured video of the January 1 burn scar just 90 minutes before the Palisades Fire erupted. This resident believes the first fire started in the same area. The Skull Rock Trail, beloved by hikers and local teenagers, has now become a focal point in the investigation [[2]].
| key Facts |
|———————|
| New Year’s Day Fire | Burned 8 acres,no structures damaged,possibly caused by fireworks. |
| Palisades Fire | Burned 23,000 acres, destroyed 2,000+ structures, origin near Skull Rock Trailhead. |
| Connection | Satellite images show burn scars from both fires in the same area. |
The devastation of the Palisades Fire extends beyond the trail and rock formations, leaving communities to grapple with the aftermath. As investigations continue, the Skull Rock Trail remains a critical piece of the puzzle, raising questions about what—and who—started this tragic blaze [[2]].
Unraveling the Palisades Fire: A Deep Dive into the Connection Between Two Tragic Blazes
The Palisades Fire, which ravaged over 23,000 acres and destroyed more then 2,000 structures in Southern california, has left communities grappling with its aftermath.Investigators are now focusing on a potential link between this catastrophic event and a smaller fire that occurred on New Year’s Day, just six days prior. Satellite images and eyewitness accounts suggest both fires may have started near the Skull Rock Trailhead, a popular hiking destination known for its stunning views of the Pacific ocean. In this interview, Senior Editor Emily Carter of world-today-news.com speaks with wildfire expert Dr. Michael Larson to explore the possible connection and the ongoing investigation.
The Potential Link Between the New Year’s Day Fire and the Palisades fire
Emily Carter: Dr. Larson, thank you for joining us.Let’s start with the initial fire on New Year’s Day.What do we know about its origins?
Dr. Michael Larson: The New Year’s Day fire burned approximately eight acres and, thankfully, did not damage any structures. It’s been widely speculated that fireworks may have ignited this fire. However, what’s more concerning is the fact that it wasn’t fully monitored or extinguished, which could have set the stage for the Palisades fire six days later.
emily Carter: Satellite images reveal that the burn scar from the January 1 fire and the starting point of the Palisades Fire are in the same area near the Skull Rock Trailhead. Do you believe there’s a connection?
Dr. Michael Larson: absolutely. Based on the satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts, there’s a strong likelihood that the Palisades Fire reignited from embers left from the New Year’s Day fire. Jeremy Wineberg,a resident who lost his home in the Palisades Fire,shared surveillance footage that captured smoke in the same area,which further supports this theory.
The Role of Wind in the Fire’s Spread
Emily Carter: Resident Eric Robertson mentioned that strong winds could have uncovered buried embers,reigniting the fire. Is this a plausible explanation?
Dr. Michael Larson: yes, it’s entirely plausible. Wildfires frequently enough leave behind buried embers that can remain dormant but are still capable of reigniting.Strong winds, especially in arid regions like California, can uncover these embers and, combined with dry conditions, create an ideal environment for a fire to spread rapidly.
Residents’ concerns and the Investigation’s Focus
Emily Carter: Jeremy Wineberg and other residents have expressed concerns about negligence in monitoring the New Year’s Day fire.What’s your take on this?
Dr. Michael Larson: Proper monitoring and extinguishing of fires are critical. The New Year’s day fire may have seemed minor at the time, but without thorough follow-up, it left a ticking time bomb. residents’ concerns are valid, and this incident underscores the importance of rigorous post-fire assessments.
Emily Carter: The investigation is now narrowing in on a hillside above a neighborhood in the Palisades Highlands area. What do investigators typically look for in such cases?
Dr. Michael Larson: They’ll conduct an origin and cause examination, focusing on identifying the exact starting point of the fire and analyzing environmental factors like wind, vegetation, and potential ignition sources. They’ll also scrutinize the mop-up efforts after the initial fire to determine if embers were indeed left behind.
The Future of Fire Prevention in High-Risk Areas
Emily Carter: What does this tragedy teach us about fire prevention in high-risk areas?
Dr. Michael Larson: It’s a wake-up call for communities and authorities. High-risk areas, especially those with dry vegetation and strong winds, need vigilant monitoring and swift action to prevent catastrophes. Public awareness about fire safety,strict regulations on fireworks,and improved post-fire protocols are essential steps to safeguard these regions.
Emily Carter: Thank you, dr. Larson,for your insights.For more updates on the Palisades Fire investigation, follow the latest developments hear.
The devastating Palisades Fire has left a scar on the community, raising critical questions about fire prevention and monitoring. As investigations continue, the Skull Rock Trail remains a focal point in unraveling the mystery of what—and who—started this tragic blaze.
