Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), one of the world’s most scenic routes, is among several roads currently closed due to the devastating wildfires in Southern California. The stretch between Malibu and Santa Monica is inaccessible as the Pacific Palisades fire continues to burn, having scorched over 23,000 acres and forced mass evacuations.
Many other highways and roads have been closed throughout L.A. County, and it’s best to check directly with local authorities and highway patrol for the latest information.
❗ Please note: We’ve compiled this information to help support our community affected by these unprecedented wildfires. These details are changing quickly, and we strongly recommend checking directly with the mentioned sources for the most up-to-date information.
Table Of Contents
How To Check Current Road Closures
Road and lane closures are changing daily and it’s important to stay updated. Here are some sources where you can find the latest information. Remember that it’s important to limit non-essential travel.
- Caltrans Mobile QuickMap website and app
- Caltrans accounts on X
- District 5 – San Luis Obispo/Santa Barbara – @CaltransD5
- District 6 – Fresno/Bakersfield – @CaltransDist6
- District 7 – Los Angeles/Ventura – @CaltransDist7
- Google Maps – Here’s their recent message explaining updates for the fires.
What To Do When Traffic Signals Are Not Operating
Due to heavy winds and power outages, many traffic signals are temporarily out. When traffic signals are dark or blinking red, treat them as a 4-way stop sign. And remember to drive slowly and cautiously if power is out in your area.
A State of Emergency for SoCal
In response to these extremely dangerous winds and severe wildfires, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Southern California to help communities affected by the ongoing wildfire situation. Southern California is facing “life-threatening” conditions with a high risk of wildfires spreading rapidly throughout the region. You can read more on the State of Emergency here.
Evacuation Shelters
If you do need to evacuate, you can find a full list of evacuation shelters and animal shelters on our guide here.
Residents of Southern California should remain highly vigilant as extreme high winds and dangerous dry conditions persist this week. Keep you and your loved ones safe during this critical period by taking proactive measures to be prepared for emergency situations. Keep checking back here for further updates on the situation.
Written/Edited by Sarah Nash and Sophie Len.
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- Do you need help? Here’s a list of evacuation centers, animal shelters, and free services.
- How to stay safe during the wildfires: Links, maps, and a guide for packing a Go-Bag.
- Want to help? Here’s how you can help firefighters and those directly affected right now.