The reopening of an 11-mile stretch of highway will offer greater access to Malibu and Pacific Palisades and marks a key step forward in fire recovery efforts.

Pacific Coast Highway, which had been largely off-limits to all but residents, first responders and cleanup crews since the Jan. 7 Palisades Fire, reopened to all traffic Friday.

An iconic Southern California stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway, closed to outsiders since January’s devastating Palisades Fire, will reopen today in advance of the travel-heavy Memorial Day