January 2025 Palisades Fire — Pacific Palisades/Malibu, CA

Mode 1 — Damage Assessment Methodology

Zone Architecture

Structures are assigned to zones Z1–Z5 based on their geometric relationship to the final fire perimeter:

• Z1 (Core): Interior of burned perimeter. DR 0.70–0.90. Primary loss zone.
• Z2 (Transition): 0–150m outside perimeter. DR 0.20–0.40. Residual/spotting.
• Z3 (Ember cast): 150–500m, downwind sector ±60°. DR 0.05–0.15.
• Z4 (Fringe): 500m–1.5km. DR 0.01–0.05. High-value structures only.

BDI (Lee Building Damage Index)

BDI = H × V × E, where H is the zone hazard weight, V is vulnerability (roof material, occupancy type), and E is normalized RCV exposure. Loss = DR(BDI) × RCV.

Calibration Status

DR multipliers are pre-calibration defaults. DINS (CAL FIRE structure damage surveys) calibration against the Palisades Fire will adjust zone-specific DR values. Estimates shown are indicative only.

Perimeter Source

Final containment perimeter from NIFC WFIGS (23,448 acres, contained Jan 31 2025).