Federal investigators are zeroing in on two main theories about what sparked January's devastating Palisades fire that destroyed over 6,800 structures and burned through 23,400 acres in Southern California.
A specialized team from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has established a command post near the Highlands neighborhood hiking trail where the blaze is believed to have started around 10:30 a.m. on January 7.
After examining 250 leads, reviewing 90 hours of video footage, and conducting 50 interviews, investigators are exploring two primary possibilities:
The first theory suggests the fire may have rekindled from an earlier 8-acre blaze known as the Lachman fire, which occurred in the same area on January 1. That initial fire, believed to be caused by New Year's fireworks, was reportedly contained and monitored for over 36 hours by firefighters.
The second theory points to an entirely new fire igniting on January 7, though the exact cause remains unknown. Sources close to the investigation indicate the blaze likely had human origins.
Los Angeles Fire Department Assistant Chief Joe Everett expressed doubt about the rekindling theory, stating the January 1 fire "was dead out" and any rekindling would be "a phenomenon."
The ATF investigation team, comprised of 15 members with various scientific backgrounds, is utilizing advanced technology including drones, mapping tools, and a portable laboratory to determine the fire's cause.
Fire experts note that while uncommon, fires can occasionally rekindle days or even months after being thought extinguished, particularly in forestry environments where embers can remain buried in tree roots under heavy ash until exposed by wind.
The ATF aims to release their findings within 60 days, though complex fire investigations requiring sophisticated laboratory analysis can sometimes take months to conclude.
As the investigation continues, residents like Darrin Hurwitz have shared accounts of noticing smoke in the area on the morning of January 7, shortly before the massive blaze erupted amid hurricane-force winds.
The fire's devastating impact on the Pacific Palisades community has intensified pressure on investigators to determine its precise cause and origin.