Fires Will Be Set In The Palisades Today To Aid Federal Investigation

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — Flames will appear over Pacific Palisades this week as federal investigators conduct controlled burns to help determine what caused the January fire that killed 12 people, destroyed thousands of homes and chewed up 23,000 acres.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — which is leading the investigation into the cause and origin of the Palisades Fire — will be conducting controlled fire testing Tuesday evening through Thursday, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The testing will be conducted on Temescal Ridge Trail between Skull Rock and Green Peak.

"The public should avoid this area during that time," LAFD Capt. Erik Scott said. "If you see flames on the hillside in that area there's no cause for concern — there's no need to call 911."

The testing comes nearly four months after the most destructive fire in city history.

Officials believe the Palisades Fire was first detected around 10:30 a.m. Jan. 7. Citing sources familiar with the investigation, the Los Angeles Times reported that much of the investigation has focused on whether an older fire had rekindled.

Firefighters had extinguished an 8-acre blaze sparked by fireworks near Skull Rock a week before. Investigators are working to determine whether that fire had reignited and turned into the Palisades Fire.

The LAFD will be on site before, during and after this week's controlled burns, officials said.

"While this scientific testing will periodically include open flame in a small area that may be visible at a distance, it does not involve the burning of vegetation," the LAFD's Brian Humphrey said.

The ATF's National Response Team was called in to investigate the Palisades Fire before it had even been fully contained. The elite team works on fewer than 20 cases a year on average and was called in due to the fire's size and scope, the ATF's Jose Medina said in January.

"ATF possesses unparalleled expertise in determining the origin and cause of fires, even under the most complex and challenging conditions," said Medina, the acting special agent in charge of the ATF's Los Angeles field division.

City News Service contributed to this report.