Palos Fire in La Habra Heights: 2 Homes Destroyed, 2 Injured as Containment Reaches 70%

Palos Fire in La Habra Heights: 2 Homes Destroyed, 2 Injured as Containment Reaches 70%

Updated: September 16, 2026

The Palos Fire burned 17.2 acres in La Habra Heights on September 14 after starting in a canyon near Lupin Hill Road and Las Palomas Drive and running uphill toward homes. Two homes were destroyed, another home was reported damaged, and a civilian and a Los Angeles County firefighter were taken to hospitals. Forward progress was stopped late Monday afternoon, evacuation warnings were lifted that evening, and the City of La Habra Heights reported the fire at 70% containment by late Tuesday morning. CAL FIRE's statewide active-incidents list continued to show the Palos Fire at 17 acres and 70% contained on September 16.

What Happened in the Palos Fire

Firefighters were dispatched shortly after 2:30 p.m. Monday to the 2400 block of Las Palomas Drive. The fire was burning in steep brush below the residential ridgeline and quickly moved uphill. Early estimates put it at 10 to 12 acres; as crews worked the canyon and nearby roads, the working estimate briefly reached about 20 acres before later mapping settled at 17.2 acres.

• About 2:30 p.m.: The fire was reported near Lupin Hill Road and Las Palomas Drive.
• During the initial attack: Flames moved uphill through dense, dry vegetation toward homes in La Habra Heights.
• 4:48 p.m.: Firefighters stopped the fire's forward progress, according to the City of La Habra Heights.
• Monday evening: The mapped acreage was about 17.2 acres and containment was reported at 41%.
• 11:38 a.m. Tuesday: The city reported containment had increased to 70% as crews continued mop-up and hotspot work.

The cause remains under investigation.

The Palos Fire climbed out of a canyon toward homes on the La Habra Heights ridgeline, forcing a rapid structure-protection response.

Two Homes Destroyed, With Damage Reported at Other Structures

Local reporting after the fire identified two homes as total losses. ABC7 and the Los Angeles Times also reported that another home was damaged. CBS Los Angeles reported that two outbuildings burned as the fire moved between properties.

The numbers can look inconsistent depending on the source because agencies and newsrooms were using different damage classifications during the first hours of the incident. A CAL FIRE incident update on Monday evening listed four structures as damaged, while the City of La Habra Heights said in its September 15 recovery update that two structures had received significant damage. Those descriptions do not necessarily use the same definition of a destroyed home, a damaged home, and an affected outbuilding.

For that reason, the clearest confirmed picture is that two homes were destroyed, at least one additional home was damaged, and other smaller structures were also affected. Final property-by-property damage accounting may be refined as recovery work continues.

One Civilian and One Firefighter Were Injured

Two people were taken to hospitals: one civilian and one Los Angeles County firefighter. Los Angeles County fire officials said both were expected to recover. The City of La Habra Heights later described the incident as having no major injuries.

Firefighters also carried out animal rescues as residents left threatened properties. CBS Los Angeles reported that five horses were rescued during the response.

Evacuations Were Lifted Monday Evening

Evacuation orders and warnings were issued as the fire pushed toward homes. Warning zones included LHH-772-A, LAC-E613-B, LAC-E615-B, and LAC-E618-B. Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights was used as an evacuation shelter for residents who needed a place to go.

By shortly before 6 p.m. Monday, the evacuation warnings had been lifted after crews stopped the fire's forward spread. The City of La Habra Heights said Tuesday that the community had moved into recovery, although emergency personnel remained in the burn area to strengthen containment lines and check hot spots. Casalero Drive was open to residents only while that work continued.

A Large Response in Difficult Terrain

The fire never became a large-acreage wildfire, but it demanded a heavy response because of where it was burning. The Los Angeles Times reported that 76 units and about 250 personnel were assigned, with helitankers supporting crews on the ground.

The canyon-and-ridgeline layout created two separate problems at once. Firefighters had to work down into steep terrain to catch the vegetation fire while other crews protected homes above it. Narrow, winding roads limited where engines could be positioned and made access slower than it would be on a wider urban street grid.

That is why the Palos Fire caused serious property damage despite stopping at only 17.2 acres. In this kind of wildland-urban interface, the distance between the flaming front and the first row of homes can be very short. Once a fire establishes a run uphill, structure defense, civilian evacuation, apparatus access and perimeter control all compete for resources at the same time.

Ground crews and water-dropping aircraft worked the canyon and ridgeline while structure-protection crews defended homes along narrow hillside roads.

Latest Palos Fire Status

One detail worth noting when checking official pages: CAL FIRE's individual Palos Fire update feed still displays Monday evening's 41% figure in its most recent detailed status report, while the City of La Habra Heights reported 70% containment on September 15 and CAL FIRE's statewide active-incidents list was showing 70% on September 16. The newer 70% figure is therefore used here.

What Crews Are Doing Now

With the forward spread stopped and evacuation warnings lifted, the operation has shifted from initial attack to containment and recovery. That means crews are securing the edge, extinguishing heat close to the perimeter, checking for smoldering material that could flare again and keeping equipment in the neighborhood while residents return.

The city said firefighters would remain on scene to monitor hot spots and continue working toward full containment. Residents returning to the affected area were asked to use caution around emergency vehicles and equipment.

Bottom Line

The Palos Fire was a relatively small fire by acreage, but its location made it destructive. It began below a hillside neighborhood, ran uphill through dry brush and reached homes before crews could fully box it in. Two homes were lost, another home was damaged, two people were hospitalized, and hundreds of firefighters were committed to the incident. By September 15 the fire had reached 70% containment, and on September 16 that remained the latest verified containment figure available from official sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Palos Fire contained?

The fire is not yet listed as fully contained. The City of La Habra Heights reported 70% containment at 11:38 a.m. on September 15, and CAL FIRE's statewide active-incidents list continued to show 70% containment on September 16. Forward progress has been stopped.

How many homes were destroyed in the Palos Fire?

Two homes were confirmed destroyed. ABC7 and the Los Angeles Times reported another home damaged, while CBS Los Angeles reported two outbuildings also burned. Agency damage classifications differ, so the final structure tally may be presented differently in later assessments.

Was anyone hurt in the Palos Fire?

Yes. One civilian and one Los Angeles County firefighter were taken to hospitals. Fire officials said both were expected to recover, and the city later reported there were no major injuries.

Where did the Palos Fire burn?

The fire started near Lupin Hill Road and Las Palomas Drive in the La Habra Heights area of Los Angeles County, close to Hacienda Heights and Whittier. It burned from a canyon toward homes on the ridgeline.

Were there evacuations?

Yes. Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for several zones as the fire threatened homes. They were lifted Monday evening after firefighters stopped the forward spread.