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Eaton Fire reaches 89% containment with the death toll at 17 people
A man comforts his daughter on the charred ruins of their family home burned in the Eaton Fire in Altadena on Jan. 9, 2025.
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Zoe Meyers
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AFP via Getty Images
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This is a developing story and will be updated. For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
Containment of the Eaton Fire has risen to 89% as firefighter take advantage of a slight break from Santa Ana wind conditions. Meanwhile, the death toll attributed to the fire has risen to 17, according to the L.A. County medical examiner.
As of Thursday morning, sheriff's officials said in areas they patrol they are still investigating 24 missing person reports related to the fire.
Pasadena also declared a public health emergency, banning the use of power air blowers, including leaf blowers, until further notice because the devices stir up ash and particulate matter, worsening air quality.
Damage so far
As of Tuesday, 14,021 acres have burned. Meanwhile, officials are mapping where homes and businesses have been lost. About 9,400 structures have been destroyed, more than 1,000 damaged.
What we know about fatalities
L.A. County's medical examiner has confirmed 17 deaths in the Eaton Fire, all at addresses in Altadena.
Where things stand
Downtown Altadena post Eaton Fire
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Saul Gonzalez
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California Newsroom
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Beverly Way in Altadena on Sunday morning.
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Saul Gonzalez
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California Newsroom
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The fire sparked Jan. 7 in Eaton Canyon and quickly spread out of control — making it one of the deadliest fires in state history. The wildfire has injured many others, including five firefighters, and destroyed whole neighborhoods.
L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said Monday morning that 17 people have been reported missing. That number could change as more people were encouraged to make reports this weekend. Sheriff's deputies now have grid searches of the area underway, going door to door to determine damage and search for additional victims.
"It looks like a war zone. I’ve never seen anything like it," L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said of the Altadena burn area.
The L.A. County Fire Department has confirmed more than 9,600 structures have been damaged or destroyed, but that number could go up or down as mapping continues.
At one point earlier this week, flames reached Mt. Wilson — which houses many antennas for broadcasters throughout the region, including LAist 89.3. Officials said Friday that no structures had been damaged or destroyed there.
A curfew is in place from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for evacuation zones. Sheriff's deputies are patrolling those areas.
Listen
• 4:56
Altadena residents face devastating losses
LAist's Erin Stone describes the scene and what she heard from the community.
William Jackson of Altadena stands at the driveway of the home where he found his neighbor Tuesday deceased in the rubble of his home on Monterosa Drive. "I keep calling his name, Victor, Victor. He died with the water hose still in his hands." Jackson said.
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Zoe Meyers
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AFP via Getty Images
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The basics
- Acreage: 14,021 acres as of Tuesday evening
- Containment: 89%
- Cause: Under investigation
- Starting point: Near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive
- Structures damaged or destroyed: some 9,400 destroyed, more than 1,000 damaged, but inspections continue
- Deaths: 17 civilians
- Injuries: 5 firefighters
Firefighters spray water onto a burning property in Altadena.
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Brian Feinzimer
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LAist
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Did power lines cause the fire?
We know that Southern California Edison is concerned that its transmission lines may be blamed for starting the Eaton Fire. Lawyers representing insurance companies have already asked the utility to preserve evidence related to the fire, according to a filing with the California Public Utilities Commission.
And Pasadena Now interviewed a couple who took photos of a fire breaking out beneath an SCE transmission line near Eaton Canyon.
SoCal Edison has already done its own preliminary investigation and says it did not cause the fire. The company says it de-energized its power lines in the area "well before the reported start time of the fire," according to a press release. And the company told the CPUC that it detected "no interruptions or electrical or operational anomalies" on its transmission lines in the 12 hours before the Eaton Fire began.
Multiple lawsuits have already been filed against the company.
Tap water advisory
Some parts of Pasadena are still being warned to not drink tap water or use it in cooking. You can check if your address is impacted here. All other areas are safe.
The city warns that boiling, freezing, filtering or treating tap water in any way would not make it any safer. Instead, bottled water should be used for all drinking — including baby formula and juice, teeth brushing, dish washing, making ice, and for any food preparation.
The tap water advisory also applies to pets.
Pasadena and Altadena residents can pick up bottled water from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday at 450 North Lake Ave.
The city of Glendale, which had some parts under evacuation orders earlier this week, said their water was safe to drink as their water facilities are covered.
Losses
A view of the burned auditorium at the Eliot Arts Magnet Academy that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire on Jan. 10, 2025 in Altadena, California.
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Frederic J. Brown
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AFP via Getty Images
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“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost their homes and even their lives,” said Gordo, Pasadena's mayor. “We have experienced a tremendous tragedy.”
“This is an opportunity for us as a community, as a people, to band together to work to support one another,” he said.
Here are just some of the known losses:
Schools: Five schools in the Pasadena Unified School District suffered substantial damage, according to Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco. Eighty percent of Franklin Elementary burned, she said.
Nature Center: The Los Angeles County Parks Department issued a statement saying staff was “unable to activate our evacuation plan for the reptiles and valuable items at Eaton Canyon Nature Center.”
“We are devastated by the overwhelming impacts of these fires. Sadly, our beloved Eaton Canyon Nature Center, Farnsworth Park — Davies Community Center — on the National Historic Register, and the Altadena Golf Course Club House and adjacent buildings were destroyed in the Eaton fire. Currently, Charles White and Loma Alta parks in Altadena have fire damage,” according to the statement.
Pasadena City Manager Miguel Márquez promised this week that the city will rebuild.
“In this community we may get knocked down but we always get up,” he said. “We will heal.”
Altadena residents pour water onto neighbors' property.
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Brian Feinzimer
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LAist
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Emergency declaration
President Joe Biden approved a Presidential Major Emergency Declaration on Wednesday to support the response to the wildfires. He said on social media that he’s directed the Department of Defense to provide additional personnel, and 10 Navy helicopters with water buckets are on the way.
“To the residents of Southern California: We are with you,” Biden wrote on X.
Evacuation orders
Evacuation orders and warnings are changing fast, so check out the most up to date, interactive map here.
Residents are able to reenter some communities as of 3 p.m. Monday, including parts of Kinneloa Mesa. Officials warned that this process will take time, as all agencies have to be on board before an area is opened back up.
The city of Pasadena said on social media that it's receiving requests to check on family and friends who’ve been evacuated. You can call the Pasadena Police non-emergency line at 626-744-4241 — but only after you’ve tried to reach them in other ways.
You can also contact the Red Cross at 800-675-5799 or fill out an inquiry form.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger warned looters to stay out of the evacuation area. “To those who want to loot, the full weight of the county will come down on you,” she said.
Elderly patients are quickly evacuated into emergency vehicles as embers and flames approach during the Eaton fire in Pasadena, California on Jan. 7, 2025.
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Josh Edelson
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AFP via Getty Images
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Shelters
- Pasadena Convention Center — 300 E. Green St., Pasadena | Parking is available at the parking structure across the street, at 155 E. Green St.
- Westwood Recreation Center — 1350 Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles
- El Camino Real Charter High School — 5440 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills
- Pomona Fairplex — 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona
- Ritchie Valens Recreation Center – 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima
- Pan Pacific Recreational Center – 7600 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles
Animal shelters
Large animals:
- Pomona Fairplex — 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona
- Industry Hills Expo — 16200 Temple Ave
- Los Angeles Equestrian Center — 480 W Riverside Dr, Burbank
Small animals:
- Augora Animal Care Center — 4275 Elton St, Baldwin Park
- Downey Animal Care Center — 11258 Garfield Ave, Downey
- El Camino High School — 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills
- Lancaster Animal Care Center — 5210 W Ave I, Lancaster
- Palmdale Animal Care Center — 38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale
- Pasadena Humane Society — 361 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena
- Los Angeles Equestrian Center — 480 W Riverside Dr., Burbank
- Pierce College Equestrian Center — 7100 El Rancho Drive, Woodland Hills
- Agoura Animal Care Center — 29525 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills
Note: The Pasadena Humane Society said they had received more than 250 pets to shelter and said they were at near-capacity. It's also been collecting small animals who have to be sheltered elsewhere.
The organization said Thursday evening that it's received an "overwhelming" number of supplies, but now they need monetary donations most.
School closures
Pasadena Unified School District will be closed until at least January 17, Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco said in a statement Friday.
Most other districts in the area have also been shut down for days, due to a combination of bad air quality and a lack of staffing, as district employees themselves evacuate.
You can find a full list of school closures here.
Road closures
Road closures are changing constantly, but Los Angeles County Public Works maintains an ongoing map: Here are all the road closures.
Donations
The Rose Bowl Stadium is currently being used by fire and police departments and other regional agencies for emergency response efforts, according to the city of Pasadena
All donations should be dropped off at:
Santa Anita Mall
400 S. Baldwin Ave, Arcadia
South Side, Lot B
What evacuees have said
Patricia Gerpheide evacuated from the Monte Cedric retirement community in Altadena early Wednesday morning with 200 other people.
She said when she woke up at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, the wind was blowing "dramatically hard" and she knew there would be problems.
Evacuated seniors shelter at the Pasadena Convention Center.
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Libby Rainey
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LAist
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"I looked out my window and across the street, there were two small fires burning and I thought it's so covered with smoke that no one will find them, so I thought I better get ready," she said. "By the time I had my things packed and ready to walk out the door, which was very quick, I looked out again and there were fires all over the place."
Michelle Zvonec, who lives in Sierra Madre, said the evacuation orders came quickly. She managed to take with her things of sentimental value, but said she didn't get as much clothes or even a jacket.
Michelle and Christopher Zvonec evacuated their Sierra Madre home.
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Erin Stone
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LAist
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"I packed like I was going to go to a hotel room and come back and get more stuff tomorrow," she said. "It was really weird."
Part of Katie Fulford’s home was destroyed while her neighbors “lost everything.” She’s lived near West Grandview and Auburn Avenue for about a decade, but said she hasn’t been through a wildfire like this before.
“ That was my art studio, that was just about finished, and all my art for years and years and years is now pretty much gone,” she said. “ We all survived, that's the important part. I'll remind myself that when I'm feeling all the sadness.”
Views of the fire
The Eaton Fire destroys a structure on Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena.
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Ethan Swope
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AP
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Listen to our Big Burn podcast
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Jacob Margolis, LAist's science reporter, examines the new normal of big fires in California.
Do you have a question about the wildfires or fire recovery?
Check out LAist.com/FireFAQs to see if your question has already been answered. If not, submit your questions here, and we’ll do our best to get you an answer.
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Fire resources and tips
If you have to evacuate
- Cheat sheet: Your very short guide to getting packed up right now to evacuate
- Cheat sheet: A very short guide for how to leave your house if you need to evacuate
If you have more time:
Things to consider
- Evacuation terms can be confusing. Here’s what they mean and how to sign up for alerts
- This is why fire officials don't want you to stay and defend your home
Navigating fire conditions
- Cheat sheet: Your very short guide to driving in high winds and fire danger
- High winds and fires mean power outages. Here's how to prep
How to help yourself and others
- Resources for SoCal fire victims, evacuees and first responders
- What to do — and not do — when you get home after a wildfire
- If you want to help fire victims, resist the urge to volunteer
- These are the steps fire victims need to take to make an insurance claim
Understanding how it got this bad
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