Palisades Fire Recovery Project

One week into 2025, what started as a small brush fire in the hills above the Pacific Palisades quickly escalated into a devastating wildfire. Despite the immediate response from the LA Fire Department, extreme conditions and strong winds fueled its rapid spread, forcing massive evacuations and shocking residents and businesses alike. By the end of the first day, the Pacific Palisades Village, along with homes, places of worship, and schools, lay in ruins. Over the next 24 days, as firefighters battled to contain the flames, neighboring areas of Topanga and Malibu also faced heartbreaking destruction.

In the wake of this tragedy, the Santa Monica Pacific Palisades Lions Club sprang into action. We swiftly connected with the Pacific Palisades Community Council to identify the most urgent needs and mobilize support. The Lions community—locally and across the country—quickly reached out, eager to help. From financial donations to offers of temporary housing, food, supplies, and volunteer time, the outpouring of generosity has been nothing short of inspiring.

To ensure we can meet the most pressing recovery needs, we’ve established two direct ways you can help:

✅ Donate to the SMPP Lions Club – Support our local relief efforts by sending a check to:

Santa Monica Pacific Palisades Lions Club
PO Box 3435, Santa Monica, CA 90408
(Please write "Palisades Fire Fund" in the memo line.)

✅ Donate to the California Lions Foundation – Make a tax-deductible donation by sending a check to:

California Lions Foundation
Attn: David Hedebrand, Treasurer
20231 Valley Boulevard, Suite E, Tehachapi, CA 93561
(Please write "SMPP Lions Club – Palisades Fire Relief" in the memo line.)

For broader wildfire relief, donations can also be made to the Lions Clubs International Foundation, though these funds are distributed across multiple disaster areas.

Thanks to the Lions Clubs International’s long history of disaster recovery, four team members were deployed to Los Angeles to assess community needs for both the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire in Altadena. Drawing from their experiences with recovery efforts in Maui and Paradise, they are providing invaluable guidance and financial support—not just for today, but for the long road ahead.

The Path to Recovery

The first two to three months have been focused on environmental assessment and safety. The EPA is working to neutralize hazardous materials, while public works teams restore vital services like gas, electricity, and safe drinking water.

Once this phase is complete, debris removal and preliminary rebuilding—led by the Army Corps of Engineers and private contractors—will take at least 12–18 months. One key milestone is restoring Palisades High School, with hopes of reopening in Fall 2025.

Throughout numerous meetings with the Palisades Community Council and local leaders, one thing remains clear: the community is determined to rebuild while preserving the strong sense of togetherness that defines Pacific Palisades. Beyond homes and businesses, the damage and loss of cherished spaces—like the Palisades Village Green, recreation center, sports fields, tennis courts, and library—has been deeply felt. But perhaps the biggest concern? Preserving the community’s annual traditions, like the beloved Pacific Palisades Fourth of July Parade.

In response, the SMPP Lions Club is proud to step up and join in making the 2025 parade a reality. This event will serve as a powerful symbol of resilience and hope, marking the first of many efforts to restore the heart of this community.

As we continue these recovery efforts, we will keep this website updated with the latest news. None of this would be possible without you—your generosity and support are bringing hope and healing to Pacific Palisades.

💛 Thank you for standing with us. Together, we will rebuild.