Tag: Topanga Canyon

SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, December 30, the National Weather Service office in Los Angeles and Oxnard issued a flood watch alert at 11:26 a.m. for parts of Southwest California. It is in effect from 10 p.m. on Wednesday until 10 p.m. on Thursday.

The reason for the warning is the excessive rainfall from the recent storm, which may cause flooding in streams, rivers, and creeks, as well as in urban areas and low-lying areas with poor drainage.  In addition, the rain may cause rock and mudslides. The low-water crossing might flood, and debris might flow near burn scars left by the wildfires.

The cities impacted by the flood watch include Topatopa Mountains, Refugio State Beach, Mount Wilson, Wrightwood, Hollywood, Big Pine Mountain, Culver City, San Gabriel, East Ventura, Gorman, Pomona, Moorpark, Figueroa Mountain, Santa Barbara, Mill Creek, Simi Valley, Ozena, Norwalk, Newbury Park, Torrance, Beverly Hills, Piru, Oxnard, The Angeles Crest Highway, Malibu Lake, Long Beach, Goleta, Oat Mountain, Downey, La Canada Flintridge, Pasadena, El Capitan State Beach, Woodland Hills, Northridge, Fillmore, Camarillo, Sunland, Lake Castaic, Oak View, Westlake Village, Rancho Palos Verdes, Malibu Bowl, Llano, Warm Springs, San Rafael Mountain, Lake Palmdale, Acton, Pacific Palisades, Valencia, Mount Baldy, Newhall, Montecito, Ojai, Meiners Oaks, Thousand Oaks, El Monte, Port Hueneme, LAX, Compton, Gaviota, Pyramid Lake, Universal City, Pearblossom, Santa Clarita, Chatsworth, Valyermo, Burbank, Malibu, Matilija, Montecito Hills, Jalama Beach, Glendale, Van Nuys, Tejon Pass, Topanga, Elizabeth Lake, Santa Paula, Rose Valley, East Los Angeles, San Marcos Pass, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, Point Mugu, Carpinteria, Ventura, Lockwood Valley, and Mount Pinos.

The National Weather Service advises residents to monitor future forecasts and to be alert for possible flood warnings.

By Daniel Diquinzio

TOPANGA CANYON—Topanga Canyon Boulevard, State Route 27, is closed to traffic between Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View Drive as work crews are busy assessing damage done to the roadway by the storm. The closure is in effect until further notice.

Parts of the area between Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View Drive are covered in rocks, mud, and debris because of the recent storm. It has left hillsides unstable.

The California Department of Transportation advises travelers to use alternate routes if they are traveling due to the closure.  Travelers are advised to allow extra travel time.

Updates on road status will be made available by the California Department of Transportation on their quick map via: quickmap.dot.ca.gov. The city of Malibu posted on its Facebook page on Saturday, December 27 that at 1 p.m. Caltrans reopened Topanga Canyon Boulevard in the Palisades Fire recovery work zone (Pacific Coast Highway to Grand View Dr) after crews removed rockfall & debris flows.

Topanga Canyon will remain closed midnight to 5 a.m. daily. Expect delays & drive with caution.

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On Thursday, December 24, the National Weather Service office in Los Angeles and Oxnard, CA issued a weather alert at 9:04 a.m. about thunderstorms expected to strike the Eastern Santa Monica Mountains Recreational area and the Western San Fernando Valley.

The storm will include torrential rain pours. It will be accompanied by hail of about one quarter of an inch and strong winds of up to 55 miles an hour.

Areas affected by this alert include Pacific Palisades, Woodland Hills, Canyon Road through the Santa Monica Mountains, Mandeville Canyon, Reseda, Tarzana, Encino, Canoga Park, Calabasas, Topanga, and Winnetka.

The NWS advises anyone who is outside to seek shelter. This is not just because of the strong winds but because the torrential rain might cause flooding. In addition, it recommends that anyone who is traveling avoid using flooded roads.

As the storm might intensify, the National Weather Service suggests that people monitor television stations and local radio stations for further information about the storm as well as possible warnings.

By Daniel Diquinzio

MALIBU—On Monday, December 8, the city of Malibu posted on its Facebook page that Caltrans weekly road & lane closures on PCH & Topanga Canyon – December 8-14 for ongoing Palisades Fire emergency repairs, of fire-damaged roadways, drainage, electrical systems, and slopes.ac

PCH (Temescal Canyon Road to Carbon Beach Terrace):
• Temescal Canyon to Sunset Boulevard: Reduced speed 35 mph
• Sunset Boulevard to Carbon Beach Terrace: Active work zone, single-lane closures, 25 mph
• Lane closures may occur weekdays 9 a.m.–3 p.m., nighttime closures possible in some areas
• Key work includes Corral Canyon Bridge, Big Rock Drive catchment wall, Southern California Edison trenching, slope repairs, and retaining wall work near the Getty Villa

Topanga Canyon (PCH to Grand View Drive):
• Closed to general traffic midnight–5 a.m. daily
• One-way traffic control with pilot car 5 a.m.–midnight
• SCE trenching operation 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. weekdays
• Overnight work 9 p.m.–5:30 a.m. Sunday–Friday

Drive cautiously, watch for workers and work vehicles. Schedules may change due to emergency work and depending on weather. Expect delays and check Caltrans QuickMap https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

 

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—On Monday, December 1, the city of Malibu posted on its Facebook page details about work that Caltrans will be conducting in the region, which will run thru Sunday, December 7 for fire recovery, SCE work and repairs on Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon.

PCH from Temescal Canyon Road in Pacific Palisades to Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu remains an active work zone with reduced speeds (25–35 mph) and single-lane closures possible weekdays 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Potential Lane closures include:

-Trancas Canyon Road to Guernsey Avenue and Corral Canyon Bridge—possible nighttime closures.

-South of Las Flores Canyon Road to Sunset Boulevard: Fire-damaged roadway, drainage, electrical, and slope repairs; lane closures as needed 9 p.m.–6 a.m.

-Just south of Big Rock Drive: Catchment wall construction; northbound reduced to one lane 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Mon–Fri.

-Las Flores Canyon to Topanga Canyon Boulevard: SCE trenching; northbound and southbound PCH partially closed weekdays, weekends, and nightly.

-Just south of Topanga Canyon Boulevard: Slope repair and culvert cleanup; northbound reduced 6 a.m.–3 p.m. weekdays.

-Coastline Drive to Porto Marina Way: Retaining wall work near Getty Villa; northbound reduced 9 a.m.–3 p.m. weekdays.

-Topanga Canyon Boulevard from PCH to Grand View Dr remains closed midnight–5 a.m. daily with one-way traffic control for emergency and SCE work 5 a.m.–midnight.

-(Non-fire related) – PCH at Corral Canyon Rd will be reduced to one lane in each direction Wednesday night December 3 and Thursday night December 4, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for drainage work.

-Closures are weather-dependent and may change. Motorists should expect delays and consider alternate routes and check Caltrans QuickMap https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/.

 

By Danny Jones

PACIFIC PALISADES/TOPANGA CANYON—On Sunday, January 19 at 2 p.m. the Los Angeles Fire Department announced that EVACUATION ORDERS REDUCED TO RESIDENT-ONLY ACCESS.

Those zones include: LOS-0767-J (North of Santa Ynez Road; South of Temescal Fire Rd; East of E Topanga Fire Road, Colina Drive; West of Temescal Fire Road), LOS-0767-G (North of Observation Drive; South of Topanga Canyon Boulevard; East of Montau Drive; West of Topanga Canyon Boulevard).

Resident escorts are required for LOS-0767-J and will be conducted from 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Residents in need of access should meet at 1150 Pacific Coast Highway (Parking Lot 3 North) in Santa Monica.

ADDRESS VERIFICATION REQUIREMENT: When approaching the roadblock, residents must provide proof of residency. Acceptable forms of identification are a photo ID that displays the resident’s name, photo, and physical address. Individuals should have these documents ready to ensure a smooth verification process. EVACUATION WARNINGS REDUCED TO NORMAL: LOS-0767-C, LOS-0767-B, LOS-Q0762-A, LOS-Q0762-C. daily.

The large area is generally defined by: North of Pacific Coast Highway; West of S Cliffwood Avenue / Canyonback Road / Mulholland Drive / Escalon Drive / Encino Hills Drive; South of Reseda Boulevard / Lochgreen Drive / Vanalden Ave, East of Casale Road / Mandeville Canyon Road / Mulholland Drive / Vanalden Avenue.

By Trevor

TOPANGA CANYON—“Dawson’s Creek” star and actor on the current ABC series “Doctor Odessey,” Joshua Jackson saw his Topanga Canyon home destroyed as a result of wildfires in the Los Angeles region. Jackson purchase the property back in 2001. The home was valued at over $2 million

The actor is just the latest in a slew of celebrities who have lost their home(s) as a result of the wildfires including Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson, Spencer and Heidi Pratt, Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, Eugene Levy, John Goodman, Miles Teller, Billy Crystal, Jeff Bridges, Anna Faris, Candy Spelling and Cameron Mathison to name a few.

Jackson is known for his role as Pacey on the hit WB/CW series “Dawson’s Creek” that starred Michelle Williams, James Van Der Beek and Katie Holmes. The series ran for 6 series. He also appeared in the movies “Scream 2,” “Urban Legend,” “The Skulls,” “Shutter” and “Cruel Intentions.” He also appeared on the series “The Affair,” “Dr. Death” and “Fatal Attraction.”

He was previously dated actress Diane Kruger for almost a decade and late married actress Jodie Turner-Smith in 2019. The couple got divorced in 2023 and they share 1 daughter, Juno.

By Trevor

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Wednesday, January 8, at 5:34, the Los Angeles Fire Department announced an evacuation order for the area a fire that began in a building at 2350 Sunset Boulevard spread to some brush adjacent to the building in Hollywood Hills.

The following information on the fire came directly from the alerts listed on the LAFD webpage.

“Hollywood Hills West; Approximately 10 acres burning between Runyon Canyon and Wattles Park. A Mandatory Evacuation Order is now in place for Laurel Canyon Blvd (on the west) to Mulholland Dr (on the north) to 101 Freeway (on the east) down to Hollywood Blvd (on the south.”

Pacific Palisades and Topanga Canyon have been burning for days. More than 1,500 acres and 1,000 structures have been consumed by fire in Los Angeles County while Los Angeles Mayor, Karen Bass travels abroad to the City of Ghana in West Africa.

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to secure federal funding due to wildfires that have repeatedly plagued the state since Newsom became Governor in 2019.

During his first term as President, Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from the state of California if Newsom did not begin fire prevention measures to protect the state of California.

Over 250 California firefighters are battling the flames, with help coming in from neighboring states including Oregon, while the fire hydrants they attempt to use are running dry.

On January 8, California Fire Statistics reported 55 fires in 2025. There have been five reported fatalities caused by these fires with over 80,000 people displaced from their homes.

By Sharon

MALIBU—The city of Malibu posted on its Facebook page that Caltrans will implement lane closures on Topanga Canyon beginning with the northbound lane starting on October 28. The work will run through November 2.

Work on October 28 through Friday, November 1 will be done from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. On Saturday, November 2, work will be done from 9 p.m. to 10 a.m. for slope work at the site of the large landslide, 1.8 miles north of Pacific Coast Highway.

Alternating traffic with flaggers directing traffic. Proceed with caution, watch for workers and work vehicles in the road. Traffic fines are doubled in construction zones, under California law.

By Trevor

MALIBU—On Monday, September 23, the city of Malibu posted on its Facebook page that the north lane of Topanga Canyon will be closed for 1.8 miles north of Pacific Coast Highway for landslide slope repairs from September 23-27. Work will be done from 9 p. m. to 6 a.m.

One lane will be open with alternating traffic. Expect delays. Proceed w/caution. Caltrans will reduce PCH to one lane in each direction from Temescal Canyon Road to Porto Marina Way in Pacific Palisades starting September 23, September 24 and September 27. Work will be done from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m. for paving work.

During construction, the speed limit will be reduced from 45 MPH to 35 MPH. Proceed with caution, watch for workers and work vehicles in the road. Fines for traffic citations are doubled in construction zones under California law.

By Trevor

TOPANGA CANYON/MALIBU—The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department posted on its Facebook page that an Evacuation Order was issued for Santa Maria Road from Topanga Canyon, Malibu as a result of high risk of mud and debris. The order is in effect from 6 p.m. February 3 through Tuesday, February 6 at 6 p.m.

Staying in the area could cause a risk to personal safety and have limited ability for medical or rescue personnel to get to them. The American Red Cross established an evacuation center for people impacted at ONE Generation, 18255 Victory Boulevard in Reseda, CA 91335. The center can be contacted at (800) 675-5799.

The Agoura Animal Care Center has been established as the location for affected ANIMALS. Their address is 29525 Agoura Road, Agoura, CA 91301.

Individuals living in the Evacuation Order Area must evacuate immediately to ensure their safety and that of their loved ones.

“Remember to gather medications, pets and important documents, and leave immediately. Stay informed of local news, register for emergency alerts at @readylacounty and @nwslosangeles or visit Emergency – COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES (lacounty.gov),” reads a statement from the LASD Facebook page.

By Trevor

TOPANGA CANYON—The Los Angeles Police Department are hunting for the suspects involved in a “Flash Rob” style theft that occurred at the Nordstrom store inside the Westfield Topanga Shopping Center on Saturday, August 12th.

The LAPD reported the incident occurred after 4 p.m. at the store located at 21725 Victory Boulevard. Over 30 people entered the establishment and started grabbing merchandise. More than $300,000 in merchandise was stolen from displays near the entrance of the store.

The suspects ran from the store, ransacking shelves and display tables as they took merchandise. The suspects were wearing ski masks and fled with high-end handbags, clothing, and other re-saleable items. One suspect, after entering the store, sprayed bear spray on the face and body of the security guard at the entrance.

In video that has been posted on the internet, the masked individuals can be seen storming the store and grabbing items on displays damaging property along the way as they exited the establishment. The store was also targeted in 2021.

Similar incidents have occurred at high-end retailers like the Louis Vuitton store at Union Square in San Francisco in 2021. Last week, thieves targeted an Yves Saint Laurent establishment in Glendale, California. In June 2023, Westfield Mall in San Francisco announced it would stop paying a $558 million mortgage because of the decline in sales in the region. Other retailers like Whole Foods, Old Navy and Nordstrom are also leaving the downtown San Francisco area.

The LAPD is combing through security footage to identify the suspects involved. Anyone with details on the incident or other incidents like this are asked to contact the Commercial Crimes Division, Organized Retail Crime Section, Detective Santander at (818) 374-9420. During non-business hours or on the weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).

Individuals wanting to submit videos or information about the incident via e-mail, send the information to ORC@lapd.online. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-2228477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

By Trevor

TOPANGA CANYON—On Wednesday, March 8, a suspect barricaded himself on the 21200 Block of Colina Drive in Topanga. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station requested assistance from the Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) and are currently working to get the suspect to safely surrender. There is no additional information available.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Compton Station at 310) 605-6500. Those preferring to provide information anonymously, can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

By Christianne