[Updated] Eaton Fire | Everything to Know: January 20

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By News Desk

Eaton Fire Evening Update, 8:00 pm

Firefighters continued to extinguish hot spots within the perimeter of the fire. The Infrastructure Group is being utilized to assist Public Works with the clearing of roadways and opening of stonn drains. Fire Suppression Repair is nearing completion. Resources are staged strategically in La Cafiada along the westem flank of the fire, ready to respond to any new fire starts or fire activity within the current footprint.

• Acres Burned: 14,021
• Containment: 87%
• Verified Structures Destroyed: 9,418
• Verified Structures Damaged: 1,069
• Firefighter Injuries: 8
• Civilian Fatalities: (Contact LA County Sheriffs Department)
• Personnel: 2,375
• Engines: 173
• Hand Crews: 32
• Dozers: 8
• Water Tenders: 20
• Helicopters: 10

Weather

Very critical fire weather conditions are expected to continue tonight. A Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning is in effect until tomorrow at 10:00 am.. Dry conditions and Santa Ana winds are expected to continue through Thursday.

More News

• L.A. Health Department will have PPE available on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
• The CHP has started towing burnt-out vehicles to clear roads for emergency crews. If your vehicle is missing, contact CHP dispatch at (323) 259-3200 and provide the license plate and/or VIN number. The dispatcher will inform you which tow company has your vehicle and provide their contact details. If the vehicle cannot be found, dispatch will ask for the approximate location where it was last parked.
• L.A. County Public Works is collaborating with the Army Corps of Engineers on the county’s opt-in debris removal program. Property owners who wish to participate in this no-cost program (regardless of insurance) must complete a “Right of Entry” form. This form is currently being created, and more details will be available soon. If a property owner chooses not to opt in, they will be responsible for debris removal at their own cost through their insurer. This program will be launched in the next few days.
• Out of an abundance of caution, FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at Pasadena City College, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, closed at 5:00 pm on Monday due to a Red Flag Warning for extremely high winds and fire danger. Depending on weather conditions, the center may remain closed on Tuesday, January 21. Regular hours for all centers are 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday through Sunday.

O O O

Eaton Fire Morning Update

Air Operations continue to support firefighters by extinguishing hot spots in steep, inaccessible terrain near Winters Creek, Mt. Lowe, & Mt. Wilson.

The repopulation of residents is ongoing (see latest below). The Infrastructure Group is being utilized to conduct assessments, identify needs, prepare for debris flows, flooding, and ensure safe ingress and egress for firefighters and utility companies in the fire area. Resources are strategically staged and ready to respond to any calls for service, both within the existing fire perimeter and for new fire staffs, in anticipation of the wind event.

• Acres Burned: 14,021
• Containment: 87%
• Start Date: January 7, 2025
• Cause: Undetermined
• Verified Structures Destroyed: 9,416
• Verified Structures Damaged: 1,064
• Firefighter Injuries: 8
• Civilian Fatalities:
• Contact LA County Sheriffs Department
• Incident Information: (626) 662-0120
• Media Line: (626) 629-8266
• Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Email: 2025.eaton@firenet.gov
• Personnel: 2,475
• Engines: 186
• Hand Crews: 33
• Dozers: 8
• Water Tenders: 23
• Helicopters: 11

More areas are opening in Altadena

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced the repopulation of communities impacted by the Eaton Fire effective 12:00 pm on Monday, January 20th, 2025.

Evacuation Warnings have been lifted for the following areas:

• South of West Harriet Street, East of North Lincoln Avenue, North of West Woodbury Road, West of North Fair Oaks Avenue.
• South of East Harriet Street and East Mendocino Street, East of North Fair Oaks Avenue, North of East Woodbury Road, West of North Lake Avenue

The following areas have been modified from Evacuation Order to Evacuation Warning:

• East of North Fair Oaks Avenue, North of East Harriet Street and East Mendocino Street, West of North Lake Avenue South of East Altadena Drive
• East of Sunny Oaks Circle, North of East Altadena Drive, West of Eaton Canyon (Open Space), South of Rubio Canyon
• East of North Lake Avenue, North of East Mendocino Street, West of North Allen Avenue, South of East Altadena Drive
• East of Lincoln Avenue, North of West Harriet Street, West of North Fair Oaks Avenue, South of West Altadena Drive

The following areas will be opened to residents only. Evacuation Order with “soft closures” for the following areas:

• East of Lincoln Avenue, North of West Altadena Drive, West of Olive Avenue, South of West Loma Alta Drive
• East of Olive Avenue, North of West Las Flores Drive, West of Fair Oaks Avenue, South of West Loma Alta Drive
• East of Olive Avenue, North of East Altadena Drive, West of North Lake Avenue, South of West and East Las Flores Drive
• East of Fair Oaks Avenue, North of East Las Flores Drive, West of North Marengo Avenue, South of East Loma Alta Drive
• East of North Marengo Avenue, North of East Las Flores Drive, West of North Lake Avenue, South of East Loma Alta Drive
• East of North Lake Avenue, North of Wapello Street and East Palm Street, West of Sunny Oaks Circle, South of The Cobb Estate
• East of North Lake Avenue, North of East Altadena Drive, West of Madison Lane and Crest Drive, South of Wapello Street and East Palm Street
• East of North Sunset Ridge Road, North of West Loma Alta Drive, West of Taos Road, South of Chaney Truck Trail
• East of Taos Road, North of East Loma Alta Drive, West of Altadena Crest Trail, South of Mt Lowe Road

Entry and Exit Points are located at the following intersections:

• Altadena Drive and North Fair Oaks Avenue
• West Altadena Drive and Lincoln Avenue
• East Altadena Drive and North Lake Avenue
• West Loma Alta Drive and North Sunset Ridge Road

Weather

Very critical fire weather conditions are expected today. A Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning will go into effect at noon and last until 10 a.m. Tuesday. Rapidly drying conditions and strong Santa Ana winds will surface across the mountains and below the canyons this afternoon.

• Windblown Dust and Ash Advisory:

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is issuing a Windblown Dust and Ash Advisory following strong Santa Ana winds expected to affect the region through Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 10:00 pm. (Read more).

Pasadena Parking

• Pasadena To Resume Parking Enforcement in Business Districts Starting Tues, Jan. 21. (Read More).

Pasadena Confirms Safe Drinking Water in More Previously Affected Areas

• For an updated map of impacted areas, visit PWPweb.com/WaterNotice.

 

Other News

– World Central Kitchen, the renowned non-profit organization focused on providing nutritious meals in times of crisis, opened a new meal distribution site in Altadena, specifically by Calaveras at Lake, on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.

– ‘Altadena Not For Sale’ held their first rally on Saturday, Jan. 11. They started at the intersection of Lake and Woodbury before caravanning to Lake and Fair Oaks. Participants chanted slogans such as “Rebuild-Defend” and “We don’t want your money – we want our homes” to raise awareness, urging residents to stay and rebuild instead of selling their properties. The rally aimed to discourage developers from displacing long-time community members. Attendees also distributed posters to drivers and pedestrians along the route.

– The Rare Books San Francisco event, scheduled for February 1-2, is stepping up to accommodate booksellers affected by the cancellation of the ABAA fair in Pasadena, which was called off due to the Red Cross and FEMA using the convention center for wildfire recovery efforts. More than 120 antiquarian booksellers, including those displaced from the Pasadena fair, will participate in the San Francisco event. All passes for the canceled Pasadena fair will be honored at the San Francisco event.

Food for Thought

• Is It Time To Rethink the Culture of Building With Wood?
• Guest Opinion: Time for Leadership in Government

Special to CB

• Inside the Flames in Upper Hastings
• On our Instagram: A view of Lake business district (click to see video).
• Note to Self cartoon by Marc Ratner: