Palos Fire destroys 2 homes, damages 2 outbuildings and injures 2 in La Habra Heights, California
The Palos Fire burned approximately 7 ha (17 acres) in La Habra Heights, Los Angeles County, on September 14, 2026, destroying two homes, damaging two outbuildings and injuring one civilian and one firefighter. Firefighters stopped the fire’s forward progress, containment reached 41%, and evacuation warnings were later lifted.
Smoke rising from the Palos Fire in Los Angeles County, California on September 14, 2026. Credit: LACoFD
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said its crews responded at 14:25 LT (21:25 UTC) to a mutual-aid request from the La Habra Heights Fire Department for the fire near Las Palomas Drive in the City of La Habra Heights.
An aerial assessment placed the fire at approximately 5 ha (12 acres) at 15:19 LT (22:19 UTC), when several structures were reported to be affected.
By 17:25 LT on September 14 (00:25 UTC on September 15), firefighters had stopped the fire’s forward progress. Its estimated size was initially placed at around 8 ha (20 acres) before more accurate mapping reduced the figure to about 7 ha (17 acres).
- Palos fire supression efforts in Los Angeles County on September 14, 2026. Credit: LACoFD
- Palos fire suppression efforts in Los Angeles County on September 14, 2026. Credit: LACoFD
- Palos fire supression efforts in Los Angeles County on September 14, 2026. Credit: LACoFD
- Palos fire suppression efforts in Los Angeles County on September 14, 2026. Credit: LACoFD
- Palos fire supression efforts in Los Angeles County on September 14, 2026. Credit: LACoFD
CAL FIRE reported the revised acreage and 41% containment at 17:53 LT (00:53 UTC on September 15). Its incident page was last updated at 17:56 LT (00:56 UTC).
The Los Angeles County Fire Department classified the structural impact as two homes destroyed and two outbuildings damaged.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said the civilian and firefighter sustained minor injuries and were transported to local hospitals for further evaluation. Katon told the Los Angeles Times that both were expected to recover fully. No fatalities were reported.
Evacuation warnings were issued for zones LAC-E613-B, LAC-E615-B, LAC-E618-B and LHH-772-A as the fire threatened hillside neighborhoods. Los Angeles County authorities lifted the warnings at 17:45 LT on September 14 (00:45 UTC on September 15).
Residents were advised to remain alert and keep windows and doors closed because of nearby smoke. Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights was opened as an evacuation shelter while the warnings were in effect.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department deployed ground crews and water-dropping helicopters. Fire officials told the Los Angeles Times that approximately 250 personnel and 76 units were assigned to the incident. Steep terrain and narrow hillside roads complicated access, while crews focused on containing the canyon fire and protecting homes along the adjoining ridgeline.
Firefighters also rescued five horses from properties threatened by the fire.
References:
1 Palos Fire incident page – CAL FIRE – September 14, 2026
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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