Many people ask, why is the Palisades Fire only 11% contained? This is the current view of the Palisades Fire from Topanga Peak looking toward Brentwood, the area that was most active over the last 24 hours. 

The reason a fire like this is only 11% contained is because firefighters have to cover every inch of perimeter before they can call it contained. This process is accomplished through old fashioned labor. 

Chainsaws have to cut open all the brush so firefighters can literally put their bare hands in the ash on the edge to ensure it’s cold. If it’s not, they have to work to extinguish all the hotspots. If you can’t call the section of your Division cold and dead out, Fire managers cannot put a black line on the map to call it contained. 

Many times, firefighters on the line would consider a fire 80% contained when it’s reported to be 25% contained. Fire managers are careful not to quickly add containment if a lot of work is yet to be accomplished. Also, people looking up at the mountain who don’t see any smoke wonder why containment isn’t higher. 

It takes time to physically run your hands across every inch of the MILES of perimeter to ensure you can call your division good. And it’s very important to remember that critical Fire weather is predicted through Wednesday. All control lines will be tested by the winds over the next couple days. If they hold, containment will likely start to increase quickly next week. 

It takes time, and a ton of physical labor by crews with 60lbs on their backs to ground truth every inch of fireline. Even if there are 100 miles of it…