'Disaster Tourism' Turns Palisades Fire's Destruction Into Tour-Bus Spectacle: Officials

LOS ANGELES, CA — City officials are taking aim on what they say is the "despicable" rise of tour bus operators giving tourists a front-row seat to the devastation of the Palisades Fire.

So-called "disaster tours" have apparently been popping up around the burn area of the Palisades Fire, which claimed 12 lives and destroyed 6,837 structures. Since the area reopened to the public last month, residents have reported seeing tour buses driving through the neighborhood, according to Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park, who represents the area.

"Since reopening, unscrupulous tour bus operators have been observed giving tours in the Palisades, turning a site of devastating tragedy and loss into a spectacle exploited for profit. This so-called disaster tourism is despicable and should not be tolerated in the city of Los Angeles," Park wrote.

The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a motion introduced by Park, which instructs city transportation officials to restrict bus tours around areas impacted by the Palisades Fire for the duration of an ongoing emergency declaration.

The motion also instructs the Los Angeles Police Department to work with the city attorney and transportation officials to report on how they'll enforce the restrictions.

City law allows officials to restrict tour buses in sensitive areas. For example, tour buses are restricted from stopping in certain areas on and around Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills due to safety concerns.