Waking up to the smell of smoke in the South Bay is enough to make anyone’s heart skip a beat. Honestly, if you live anywhere near the Peninsula, your first instinct is to check the horizon for that telltale plume. We’ve all seen what happens when the Santa Ana winds decide to act up, and given the absolute devastation we saw during the 2025 fire season—specifically the Palisades and Eaton fires—nobody is taking chances anymore.
Right now, everyone is asking about the fire in Palos Verdes today. If you are looking out your window and seeing a hazy sky or smelling something burnt, you aren't crazy. But the situation on the ground as of January 15, 2026, is a bit more nuanced than a single "big one" burning through the hills.
The Current Status of Fire in Palos Verdes Today
Basically, the good news is that there are no major, out-of-control conflagrations currently ripping through Rancho Palos Verdes or Rolling Hills this morning. However, the National Weather Service has been keeping us on our toes with fluctuating fire weather icons all week.
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While the "moderate" risk level might sound like a relief compared to the "extreme" red flags of last year, the vegetation is still surprisingly dry. We had some rain in early January, but it wasn't the drought-buster we hoped for.
- Active Incidents: There are currently 0 major active wildfire perimeters within the Palos Verdes Peninsula city limits.
- Smoke Reports: Much of the "haze" being reported by residents in Lunada Bay and Portuguese Bend is actually drift smoke from smaller controlled burns or localized incidents in the greater L.A. basin.
- Alert Status: The city remains in a "Stay Ready" posture.
You’ve probably noticed the fire department has been hyper-vigilant. They are jumping on every "smoke check" call within minutes. It’s better to have three engines show up for a backyard barbecue gone wrong than to miss a brush fire in its first 60 seconds.
Why We Are All So Edgy About Peninsula Fires
It's been exactly a year since the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire redefined what a "bad day" looks like in Southern California. Last January, the Eaton Fire alone destroyed over 7,000 structures. That memory is fresh.
Palos Verdes is unique—and honestly, kinda dangerous—because of the geography. You have steep canyons, limited evacuation routes (mostly just Hawthorne, PV Drive, and Crenshaw), and that relentless sea breeze that can turn a spark into a monster before a tanker can even get off the ground from Van Nuys.
The Landslide Factor
One thing people often forget when talking about a fire in Palos Verdes today is the land movement. In areas like Portuguese Bend, the ground is literally shifting. This has led to utility shutoffs and compromised water lines in the past. If a fire breaks out in a zone where the fire hydrants are already under stress due to land movement, the complexity of the fight doubles.
Real-Time Resources You Should Be Checking
Don't rely on a neighborhood Facebook group where someone's cousin said they saw a flame. Use the tools the pros use.
- PVPready.gov: This is the gold standard for the Peninsula. It uses a zone-based system. If your zone (like RPV-U0301) turns red on that map, you don't wait for a knock on the door. You leave.
- Alert SouthBay: If you haven't texted "alertrpv" to 888-777 yet, do it now. It's the fastest way to get official word on your phone.
- The Watch Duty App: This is a lifesaver. It’s run by real people who monitor scanners and satellite heat signatures. It often updates faster than the official news broadcasts.
What to Do If You See Smoke
If you do spot a fire in Palos Verdes today, the first rule is: don't be a hero with a garden hose.
High winds can move a fire faster than you can run. If you see an active brush fire, call 911 immediately and provide a specific cross-street or a landmark (like the Wayfarers Chapel area or the Trump National trails).
Immediate Action Steps
- Face your car out: Park in the driveway, not the garage. If the power goes out, you don't want to be fighting a manual garage door lever while smoke fills your lungs.
- Clear the "Defensible Space": It takes ten minutes to move those wicker patio chairs and cushions away from the house. Do it now.
- Check on neighbors: The Peninsula has a lot of seniors. If an evacuation warning is issued, they might need a hand getting their pets or "go-bags" into the car.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Forecast
Experts from CAL FIRE and the LAFD have been vocal about the "new normal." Even with a slightly wetter start to the year, the "standing dead" vegetation from previous years is a powder keg.
The investigation into the January 2025 fires revealed that "mop-up" procedures needed to be significantly tightened. As a result, you’ll see fire crews staying on the scene of even tiny "spot fires" in PV for hours or days longer than they used to. They are making sure every single ember is cold.
Actionable Next Steps for Residents
Staying safe isn't about panicking; it's about being prepared.
First, go to PVPready.gov and find your specific evacuation zone number. Write it on a Post-it and stick it on your fridge. When the news says "Zone 4 is evacuating," you need to know instantly if that's you.
Second, verify your homeowners' insurance. Since the disasters of 2025, many carriers have pulled out of the 90274 and 90275 zip codes. Make sure your policy hasn't lapsed and that you have "replacement cost" coverage, not just "actual cash value."
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Finally, keep a "Go-Bag" in your trunk—not in your closet. If you are at the grocery store or work and a fire in Palos Verdes today shuts down the main roads, you might not be able to get back to your house to grab your essentials.