The storm drains on Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades Beaches the day after a powerful winter storm hit.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

Friday morning at Dockweiler Beach, lifeguards responded to a stranded dwarf pygmy whale and assisted Marine Mammal Care in assessing the situation.

Rainstorms this week caused large mudslides on Topanga Canyon Blvd. (State Route 27) in the Palisades fire burn scar. ⛰️🌊



The route will remain closed south of Grand View Dr. until crews can clear debris and mitigate potential hazards, such as falling rocks and road damage.



For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

Despite the city's health warnings about ash, chemicals, and debris from the Palisades Fire contaminating the ocean water, several surfers have been out catching waves.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

Several mudslides throughout fire burnt Pacific Palisades. Crews work to make the roads passable for vehicles.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

More destruction in Pacific Palisades. The latest storm washed away more a the remaining support of the already damaged Will Rogers Beach bike path bridge causing another portion of the bridge to collapse, sending more of it onto the beach.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

Pacific Coast Highway between Chautauqua Boulevard and Carbon Beach Terrace is FULLY CLOSED and will remain until further notice due to heavy flooding and mudslides. Only Emergency Responders may access PCH until further notice due to a HARD CLOSURE of the route.



For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

As a community, we’re raising funds for two friends who were impacted by the LA Wildfires: Kiyo Kitmitto and Bart Saric. Donate to help these two rebuild and rebound. Please donate in $5 increments, so we can set aside prize tickets for you to be claimed at the February 16th fundraiser event!

West Side Wild Fire Relief Fundraiser Music Event
February 16, 2025 - 6pm to 10 pm
CocoBeach Bar Grill
404 Washington Blvd, 90202

For more info, Click Here.

On Saturday, February 9, 2025, between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, the Santa Monica Police and Fire Departments responded to a series of arson incidents across the city. Four separate fires were intentionally set at multiple locations, posing significant safety risks and damaging public property.

In a swift and coordinated response, the Police Department utilized aerial drone technology to assist in the investigation. Through this effort, authorities identified 36-year-old Marco Antonio Rubio as the primary suspect in connection with the fires. At the time of his arrest Rubio was in possession of a lighter and an aerosol can. The fires occurred at the following locations:

1000 block of Colorado Ave: A discarded pillow and cardboard were set on fire.

16th and Michigan Ave: A discarded mattress was set on fire.

Memorial Park: Netting on a Little League batting cage was set on fire.

1500 block of 18th St: A parked vehicle was set on fire.

Rubio has an arrest history in California for 148 PC (Resisting Arrest) and multiple prior arrests in Texas, including charges of resisting arrest, domestic violence, and assault related crimes. There are no previous arson-related offenses on his record.

“The swift and coordinated response by our Police and Fire Departments highlights our commitment to ensuring the safety of Santa Monica residents. Through teamwork and advanced technology, we quickly identified the suspect and prevented further harm,” said Police Chief Ramon Batista.

The Police Department reminds residents to report any suspicious behavior to authorities immediately and to remain vigilant in their neighborhoods.

Anyone with information related to this incident or these individuals is encouraged to contact Detective McCoy at james.mccoy@santamonica.gov, Sergeant Cooney at shaun.cooney@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander 24 hours at 310-458-8427.