Malibu, Caltrans move to stabilize fire-damaged coastal lots ahead of El Niño

By Barbara Burke · Thu Sep 03 2026

Interim work on 23 red-tagged PCH properties targeted for completion by Oct. 31 as city expands preparations to landslide-prone areas

Last week, the City of Malibu brought together Caltrans officials, owners of 23 red-tagged, fire-damaged coastal properties and their design teams for two meetings focused on interim remediation work along Pacific Coast Highway. The meetings provided property owners with an opportunity to hear directly from Caltrans about proposed stabilization measures, the Right of Entry process and work planned to address immediate safety concerns ahead of the approaching El Niño season.

“Two meetings were coordinated by the city with Caltrans, affected property owners, and their design teams, with city staff participating in both meetings to provide a direct forum for Caltrans to explain the proposed interim remediation measures at the 23 red-tagged burned-out coastal lots,” said Yolanda Bundy, the City of Malibu’s community development director. “The meeting afforded affected property owners and their design professionals the opportunity to have Caltrans respond to questions regarding the Right of Entry process and address questions specific to individual properties and the concerns of the property owners and their design professionals.”

Both meetings were well attended and productive, Bundy noted, stating that Caltrans representatives presented an Interim Remediation PowerPoint and provided an overview of the proposed temporary measures. Property owners and their design teams had the opportunity to ask questions directly of Caltrans regarding the scope of work, anticipated construction activities, Right of Entry documents, and how the proposed remediation may affect their properties.

The meetings were a positive step in improving communication and providing clarity to the affected property owners, Bundy noted, adding that Caltrans representatives responded to questions regarding the temporary nature and purpose of the proposed work in addressing the immediate safety concerns along PCH.

“We at the city in collaboration with Caltrans and District 9 are being proactive as El Niño approaches and are committed to supporting the affected landowners,” Bundy stated. “Funding for the remediation is coming from Caltrans which issued two directors’ orders seeking budget approval to provide the affected properties with remedial improvements. To date, there has been a proactive and incredible partnership between the city, Caltrans, LADWP and owners of the red-tagged parcels.”  

Caltrans advised that it anticipates completing the interim remediation work on all red-tagged parcels by Oct. 31. The specific remediation will vary by parcel based on existing conditions and may include lagging and restoration of failed slopes; placement of backfill material on certain properties; restoration of failed slopes with shotcrete and placement of backfill material; and building up and stabilizing portions of the slope where necessary.

“In addition to the two property owner meetings, an additional meeting with the Zone Captains has been scheduled, with Caltrans participating. This meeting will provide an opportunity for the Zone Captains to hear directly from Caltrans, ask questions, and better understand the proposed interim remediation and Right of Entry processes.” Bundy added.

The city will continue to coordinate closely with Caltrans, the affected property owners, and their design teams as the work progresses. The goal remains to address the immediate safety concerns along PCH while maintaining open communication and transparency with the property owners and the community, according to Bundy.

Preparing landslide-prone lots before El Niño

The city of Malibu is a municipality with both coastal and landslide areas affected by the Palisades Fire. Bundy emphasized that the agencies are also coordinating to assist property owners with areas of landslide concern on Big Rock and other properties destroyed on the land side along PCH.  

“Our next step is to conduct drone assessments in Big Rock and other affected hillside properties,” Bundy informed. “The city is following up with regard to landslide areas and is implementing best practices for having mitigation measures in place. Working with the City Manager’s Office and the directors of all departments, the city has formed an El Niño preparation team and that group is also focusing on landslide-prone properties destroyed or harmed in the fires. In this regard, we will also work with Caltrans, LADWP No. 29 and the Los Angeles County Public Works Department to ensure that necessary things are being done.” 

There are three official landslide maintenance-assessment districts within the geographical boundaries of the city of Malibu, including the Big Rock Mesa Assessment District No. 98-1, the Calle Del Barco landslide Maintenance Assessment District, No. 98-2 and the Malibu Road Landslide Assessment District No. 98-3. Information concerning those districts is available on the city’s website, as is a post-Palisades Fire Update report regarding Big Rock Mesa.  

Readers can review mapped historical landslides and deep-seated susceptibility via the California Landslide Inventory provided by the California Geological Survey online and published by the California Department of Conservation. 

Bundy also noted that a landowner with property near Geoffreys Restaurant is working on permanent landslide repairs stemming from rains experienced in 2024, with hopes to accomplish that prior to El Niño rains. “The Las Flores area has three landslide areas affected by the 2024 rains, and after those rains occurred the city identified 47 parcels needing landslide remediation,” Bundy explained, adding that she and her team will be providing council members and key personnel with weekly updates regarding the city’s ongoing efforts for both coastal and landslide-affected properties being ready for El Nino.

Permit issuance update

“We have issued 91 permits and are highly anticipating reaching the 100-permit mark,” Bundy informed. “I would expect that within the next five weeks or so, we will be issuing our first certificate of occupancy for a residence in the Big Rock area.”

Bundy encouraged readers to follow the city’s outreach efforts posted on local social media. The Malibu Times will continue to provide readers with information regarding both preparations prior to El Niño and permit issuance data.