The fire, which erupted around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, has scorched approximately 17,234 acres and left thousands of structures damaged or destroyed.

Arson investigators are working around the clock to uncover how the devastating Palisades Fire began.

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Chief Kristin Crowley confirmed during a news conference Thursday that 21 officials, including 16 arson investigators and a specially trained accelerant-sniffing dog, have been deployed to the scene.

The fire, which erupted in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday and dubbed the worst fire in SoCal’s history, has already scorched 17,234 acres and destroyed or severely damaged thousands of structures, Chief Crowley revealed. As flames continue to spread, authorities are determined to find out how the inferno started.

“We are treating this investigation with the utmost urgency,” Crowley said. “Every resource is being used to get to the bottom of what caused this disaster.”

While officials have not released specific details about the investigation, early reports suggest the fire’s rapid spread and unusual burn patterns have raised suspicions. Witness accounts and initial evidence have led authorities to explore whether the blaze was started intentionally.

“This level of destruction demands answers,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said. “Our investigators are leaving no stone unturned as they work to identify the cause.”

The Palisades Fire comes at a time when California is grappling with an increasingly destructive wildfire season. With extreme heat, relentless winds, and a years-long drought creating the perfect storm for wildfires, the question of human involvement adds a chilling layer to an already grim situation.

The fire has forced the evacuation of more than 40,000 residents, with entire communities in the Los Angeles area reduced to ash. Emergency shelters are at capacity, while firefighters battle to contain the relentless flames under brutal conditions.

Initial estimates place the economic cost of the Palisades Fire at over $20 billion, making it one of the most expensive fires in U.S. history. Comparisons have already been drawn to the 2018 Camp Fire, which caused $12 billion in damages and destroyed the town of Paradise, California.

For residents, the scale of the devastation is unimaginable. “I’ve lost everything,” one evacuee told local media. “My home, my memories, it’s all gone. I don’t know where to start.”

The Palisades Fire highlights a grim reality for Californians, as climate change, urban sprawl, and human activity contribute to a rise in both the frequency and intensity of wildfires. Insurers have warned that parts of the state could become uninsurable if such disasters persist.

As the fire rages on, investigators hope their findings will bring clarity—and accountability.

“This is a tragedy,” Chief Crowley said. “But we are determined to find out how it started and prevent something like this from happening again.”