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Four months after the deadly Palisade fire in January, investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, cigarettes, firearms and Explosives (ATF) returned this week to conduct controlled fire tests along the Temescal Ridge Trail.
Tests begin Tuesday night and continue along Green Peak and Skull Rock Trailhead until Thursday. The Los Angeles Fire Department said it was there before, during and after testing to protect both the environment and the community.
“In the meantime, the public should avoid this area. Certainly, we appreciate your understanding and cooperation, but we wanted to let the public know that there is no cause of concern if you can see flames on the hillsides of the area. You don’t need to contact 911.”
The cause of the Palisade fire is still under investigation, but some believe it could lead to a fire that began on New Year’s Day. The fire went out early that morning.
This week’s test is planned in the same area behind the house in the Palisades Highlands.
“We’ve had so many fires in the past, and it’s always been fine. When we left to go to work on a Tuesday morning, when we got stuck where I was, we thought we were still fine,” said Lisa Janney, a resident of Palisades.
In January, just days after the Palisades fire began, ATF investigators were seen in the same area.
Jose Medina, a special agent for the ATF deputy at the time, said about 75 dedicated team members were working to find the cause and origin of the fire.
“All of these takes time. We know that everyone wants answers. We know that everyone wants answers, and the community deserves answers. The ATF gives you those answers, but once you complete a thorough investigation, there is no timeline as to when this will happen,” Medina said at a January 14 press conference.
Pali Strong, a community-led group of locals in Palisades, asked neighbors to help communicate their message about the fire test.
“It was a concern because I know a lot of people have been suffering from trauma over the past few months,” said Larry Bain, executive director of Paris Strong.
The ATF did not respond to to tonight’s fire test. However, trustee Traci Park, who represents the area, posted on Instagram that burns are expected to last from 11pm to 3am each night.
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