PCH Reopens for Residents, School Buses in Wildfire Zone

Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) has partially reopened for Malibu residents and essential workers following the Palisades Fire and subsequent storms that caused significant mudslides. The reopening, which allows access for school buses and business employees, is limited to a stretch between Chautauqua Boulevard and Carbon Beach Terrace, with traffic reduced to one lane in each direction and a speed limit of 25 mph. Access passes are required for entry and can be obtained at Malibu City Hall or the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, with identification needed for verification. While this marks progress in recovery efforts, PCH remains closed to general traffic as safety assessments continue. Local officials have emphasized the need for cautious driving due to ongoing debris issues in the area. The reopening follows a period of extensive closures that had left residents seeking alternative routes to access their homes and businesses.