PACIFIC PALISADES, CA – March 16, 2025 – As recovery efforts continue following the devastating Palisades Fire, Santa Monica Closeup toured the fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades to assess the impact on the community, including billionaire developer Rick Caruso’s Palisades Village. While much of the area sustained significant damage, Caruso’s high-end retail and residential complex largely survived—an outcome he attributes to proactive fire mitigation strategies.
The Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, rapidly expanded due to severe drought conditions and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds reaching up to 100 mph. The wildfire burned approximately 23,448 acres and destroyed 6,837 structures, including homes, businesses, and places of worship. Evacuation orders affected over 100,000 residents across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and surrounding areas. The fire resulted in 12 fatalities and multiple injuries. High winds initially hindered aerial firefighting efforts, complicating containment operations. The fire was fully contained on January 31, 2025.
In the wake of the wildfire, Caruso reportedly hired private firefighters and deployed water tankers to shield Palisades Village from destruction. Additionally, fire retardants were applied to the property, reinforcing its defenses against the encroaching flames.
Caruso, whose real estate empire includes some of the nation’s most lucrative shopping centers, voiced concerns over the city’s response to the wildfire, citing a lack of adequate resources and preparedness. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, he criticized what he described as bureaucratic "excuses" and "negligence" that exacerbated the devastation in surrounding areas.
The use of private firefighters has sparked debate over resource accessibility and class disparities in disaster response. While Caruso’s efforts safeguarded his development, many local residents lost homes and businesses, raising questions about the equity of emergency preparedness across different communities.
Despite sustaining some damage, Palisades Village—one of the nation’s top-grossing shopping centers per square foot—remains largely intact, standing in stark contrast to the scorched landscape around it. Meanwhile, Pacific Palisades residents continue to assess losses and push for improved fire prevention measures as rebuilding efforts get underway.