VIDEO: A controlled fire test being conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms that began Tuesday night may help investigators figure out the root cause of the devastating Palisades Fire.
The testing is taking place in an isolated part of the Santa Monica Mountains just north of Pacific Palisades in the area where the fire was thought to have started.
One theory investigators have is that a hotspot from a small fire that broke out on New Yearโs Day could be the root cause of the Palisades Fire. Although the flames were put out in a matter of hours, investigators have not ruled out the possibility of an underground hot spot igniting six days after the initial fire. Nearby residents have received confirmation from officials, including L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, that the controlled burn being conducted will be constantly monitored.
โI hope people understand that they will be safe. This is completely controlled,โ Bass said. โI would anticipate โ but I donโt have specific information โ that the ATF will announce the results in a couple of months.โ
