Welcome to Meet the Fleet: the show that takes you inside the cab and under the hood of LA County's fleet of vehicles. On this episode, meet LA County's fleet of tractors and sanitizers keeping the coastline clean and pristine.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Monday, December 16, 2024, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) firefighters swiftly responded to a structure fire in a historic three-story building located at 15 Horizon Avenue in Venice. Built in 1912, the 112-year-old building showcased the resilience of modern safety systems in protecting older structures.

According to LAFD Captain Steve Marquez, crews from Station 63, Engine 62, and Battalion 4 arrived on the scene to find a small grease fire on a stove in a second-floor unit. The building’s fire alarm and sprinkler systems activated, containing the fire to a minor scale before firefighters extinguished it.

Captain Marquez confirmed that all occupants were safely evacuated, and there were no injuries. Firefighters also shut off the sprinkler system, cleared water from the affected area, and ensured residents could return to their homes."

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

Red Flag Warning in Effect in Malibu Tues 12/17 to Wed 12/18/24

Santa Ana winds will increase across much of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties Tuesday afternoon with winds likely peaking Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. Northeast winds will rapidly develop with gusts likely ranging from 40 to 60 mph, strongest in the mountains. These winds combined with minimum humidity in the 10 to 20 percent range will very likely lead to critical Red Flag fire weather conditions developing Tuesday afternoon to evening and continuing through Wednesday afternoon.

For more on the Franklin Fire, Click Here.

Topanga Canyon Blvd/Route 27 is CLOSED between Mulholland Drive and Pacific Coast Highway/Route 1 in Topanga area from 3pm Tuesday 12/17 until 6pm Wednesday 12/18 due to Red Flag Warning fire danger.

Only residents & local business traffic allowed in the canyon.

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

Santa Monica, Calif. – The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will be out December 20, 2024 from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence (DUI).

Impaired driving is preventable. It’s a choice. If you’ve been drinking or taken drugs that impair, make the right choice by finding a sober driver or alternate transportation to take you places.

SMPD reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Franklin Fire morning Update 12/15/24 9am - acreage remains at 4,037, and containment is now at 42%. Teams have completed 95% of the damage inspections, and the numbers remain at 19 structures destroyed (8 single family dwellings and 11 outbuildings), and 27 structures damaged (14 single family dwellings, 1 multi family dwelling, 7 commercial, and 5 outbuildings).

For more on the Franklin Fire, Click Here.

New video from Real Skate Stories.

"Dive into the legacy of Jay Adams, the controversial and outspoken skateboarding icon whose rebellious spirit and unmistakable style revolutionized the sport. From his early days with the Dogtown Z-Boys to shaping the skate culture of the 70s and 80s, discover how his punk rock energy and artistic expression made him a legend, influencing generations of skaters and redefining the essence of skateboarding. I knew Jay well, and throughout the decades we had many experiences together, in this video I share a few."

12/13/24 2:15 PM Update: Evacuation Orders Lifted and Road Access Fully Restored. Certain roads are only accessible to residents with photo ID.

12/13/24 2:15 PM Update: Evacuation Orders have now been reduced to Warnings, and all residents may return to their homes. Certain roads are only accessible to residents with photo ID.

12/13/24 2:15 PM Update: The City of Malibu is pleased to announce that all Evacuation Orders have now been reduced to Warnings, and all residents may return to their homes. This significant milestone reflects the progress made by our first responders and partner agencies in ensuring the safety of our community.

Evacuation Zone Updates

Evacuation Warnings Lifted:

Zones MAL-C113-A, MAL-C113-C, VST-U022-A, MCR-U021-B, MTN-U028, SDP-U029-B, MAL-C112-F (which now includes the previously listed "G" zone), and MAL-C111-C.

All Remaining Evacuation Orders Reduced to Warnings:

Zones MAL-C113-D, VST-U022-B, MCR-U021A-B, SDP-U029-A, RMB-U030, and MAL-C112-B.

Evacuation Warnings Lifted for Pepperdine University:

Zone MCR-U021A-C, which includes the Pepperdine University Campus, is now clear.

Returning to Your Home

Residents returning to their homes can do so with confidence, as these areas have been thoroughly inspected and deemed safe by public safety officials. However, we urge everyone to remain cautious and follow all instructions from public safety personnel.

Road Access Updates

Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is now fully open with traffic moving in both directions.

Remaining road closures and updates can be found on the Los Angeles County Public Works website at https://pw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures/.

Hard Road Closures (no access):

Malibu Canyon Road from Civic Center Way to Piuma Road

Soft Closures (open to residents only, with proper ID):

Las Flores Canyon Road north of Pacific Coast Highway

Carbon Canyon Road north of Pacific Coast Highway

Sweetwater Canyon Drive north of Pacific Coast Highway

Puerco Canyon Road north of Pacific Coast Highway

Corral Canyon Road north of Pacific Coast Highway

School Update

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District has announced the following updates for Malibu schools:

Malibu Elementary, Malibu Middle, and Malibu High Schools:

These schools sustained no damage but require professional cleaning of HVAC systems and outdoor spaces. Cleaning is planned for Friday, December 13, or over the weekend, with an expected reopening on Monday, December 16, pending road access. Families will be notified on Sunday, December 15 with confirmation.

Webster Elementary School:

Webster Elementary sustained electrical and fire damage. Repairs will begin as soon as access is granted, and the school is expected to reopen after winter break on January 6, 2025.

Options for Webster students to attend in-person classes at Malibu Elementary with their teachers starting Tuesday, December 17, are being explored. Families have been surveyed, and decisions will be communicated soon.

Pepperdine University Update

Pepperdine University has announced that normal operations for faculty and staff on the Malibu campus will resume next week. Campus events are also scheduled to resume this weekend.

Recovery Resources

Local Assistance Center: The City of Malibu will open a Local Assistance Center at Malibu City Hall on Tuesday, December 17, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Representatives from various State and Los Angeles County Agencies, AT&T, City Departments, the Red Cross, and the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu will be available to assist residents reconnecting services and accessing recovery resources.

For residents experiencing stress or trauma as a result of this incident, mental health resources are available at:

· Boys and Girls Club of Malibu: Offering free counseling services and emotional support for those impacted by the fire. Please contact BGCM Wellness Center at https://bgcmalibu.org/wellness-center call (310) 457-6801 ext. 74141 or email wellnessinfo@bgcmalibu.org.

· Additional resources are available through the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health at https://dmh.lacounty.gov/ or by phone at 800-854-7771.

The City of Malibu remains committed to supporting our community during this recovery process. Thank you for your patience, resilience, and cooperation as we reach these critical milestones.

For more on the Franklin Fire, Click Here.

UPDATE: 12/13/24, 11:15 AM - Pacific Coast Highway is now fully open for public traffic, including businesses, from Topanga to Kanan in Malibu

For more on the Franklin Fire, Click Here.