Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts have long regarded Skull Rock, located north of Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades, as a must-see destination. Accessible via a relatively short hike on the Temescal Ridge Trail, the skeletal-shaped rock formation offers dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean, drawing visitors from all over the city and beyond.
Now, however, this scenic area has become the focus of an investigation into the origins of the Palisades fire, which broke out on January 7 and left behind widespread devastation, including the destruction of thousands of structures. Authorities have yet to determine the fire’s precise starting point or its cause, but the area’s recent history of smaller fires is being closely scrutinized.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, officials are considering the possibility that the Palisades fire may have been sparked by remnants of an earlier fire that occurred nearby. That fire, which burned on New Year’s Eve, was reportedly started by fireworks but was extinguished within a few hours with assistance from a water-dropping helicopter. Investigators are now exploring whether embers or other remnants from that fire could have rekindled in the windy conditions on January 7, creating the inferno that spread so rapidly.
Well, well – What do we have here? ATF is investigating the reported location of the start of Pacific Palisades fire. Authorities must do a cell phone geolocation search for phones on Temescal Ridge Trail near Skull Rock. No power lines in the area or other sources of fire… https://t.co/l8Uj6kBUFW pic.twitter.com/Q8nkXRHtel
— William Rogers (@whjrogers) January 14, 2025
Darrin Hurwitz, a local hiker and resident of the area, was on the trail near Skull Rock the morning the Palisades fire began. After dropping his children off at school, Hurwitz embarked on a five-mile loop that took him past the burn scar left by the New Year’s Eve fire. During his hike, he noticed a smoky smell that was more pronounced than he had encountered on other trails impacted by recent fires. Reflecting on the events later, Hurwitz wondered whether embers from the earlier fire might have been stirred by the wind that day.
Around the same time, the fire was first reported by Nic Libonati, who lives on Piedra Morada Drive, roughly two miles from where the flames were initially spotted. Libonati, who alerted neighbors and called 911, described how the wind made it impossible to direct water from a hose toward his plants, signaling to him that the fire was heading toward their home. The rapid spread of the flames eventually left little time for residents to act before the fire engulfed the area.
As part of the ongoing investigation, a specialized team from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began processing the scene on January 8. Los Angeles Police Department Assistant Chief Dominic Choi stated that while no definitive cause has been identified, all possibilities—including arson—are being investigated. Nearby power poles were reportedly found charred, but investigators have not yet confirmed whether they were connected to the fire’s origin.
Historical parallels are also being drawn to other significant fires, such as the 1991 Oakland Hills fire, which destroyed more than 2,500 structures after rekindling from a previously contained six-acre blaze. Investigators are considering whether the Palisades fire may fit a similar pattern, as the remnants of the New Year’s Eve fire were reportedly declared extinguished but may not have been fully monitored in the days that followed.
In addition to the destruction of homes and infrastructure, the fire has taken a toll on the natural beauty of the region. Skull Rock, a popular midpoint for hikers seeking panoramic views and geological formations, is now surrounded by the scars of the blaze. The Temescal Ridge Trail, once described as one of Southern California’s premier hiking spots, has been transformed into a site of tragedy and investigation. Local hikers, like Hurwitz, who frequented the trail several times a week, now face an uncertain future for one of their favorite outdoor escapes.
As the investigation continues, the fire serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between natural beauty and the risks posed by human activity in wildfire-prone areas. Authorities remain committed to uncovering the cause of the blaze while ensuring public safety in the aftermath of the disaster.
