Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a motion on July 1, 2025, led by Councilmember Traci Park, to suspend commercial tour buses driving through Pacific Palisades areas affected by the January wildfire disaster. The ban will remain in place under the city’s active emergency declaration, citing dangers to recovery efforts and respect for affected residents.
Councilmember Park described the phenomenon bluntly, calling it “despicable” for operators to profit from disaster and the hardship of homeowners. City law empowers the Department of Transportation (LADOT) to impose temporary restrictions when public safety is at risk, especially given the narrow and damaged streets in the fire zone.
The Palisades fire, part of the broader January 2025 Southern California wildfires, destroyed more than 6,800 structures and claimed 12 lives, making it Los Angeles’s most destructive blaze in history. Post-reopening on June 14, busloads of tourists began circulating through charred neighborhoods—prompting local outrage and the city’s swift legislative response.
Council’s motion tasks LADOT with quickly mapping restricted zones and working with LAPD and city attorneys to assess long-term solutions once the emergency declaration lifts. The goal: prevent disruptions to debris cleanup, protect recovery crews, and uphold decorum for fire survivors.
Recovery in Pacific Palisades remains slow. Even months after the fire, access is limited and many residents await reconstruction permits. The new ban reinforces respect for both spiritual dignity and civic prudence, ensuring grieving homeowners aren’t spectators to their own suffering.
