“Door Locked, Already Looted” writings on a garage door in Altadena (Photo – Melissa Michelson)
An independent after-action review released Thursday by Los Angeles County officials reveals a series of systemic failures in the emergency response to January’s deadly Eaton and Palisades Fires, particularly the delayed evacuation alerts that left residents in west Altadena vulnerable.
By News Desk
Commissioned by the County Board of Supervisors and conducted by McChrystal Group, the report offers a comprehensive analysis of the County’s response to the catastrophic wildfires, which claimed 31 lives and destroyed over 16,000 properties across Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and surrounding communities.
Outdated policies, inconsistent practices, and communications vulnerabilities
The review did not point to a single cause but identified a breakdown in emergency protocols, citing “outdated policies, inconsistent practices, and communications vulnerabilities” that hindered efforts to warn and evacuate residents on the night of January 7. The fires were fueled by hurricane-force winds that grounded firefighting aircraft, caused widespread power outages, and rendered nighttime aerial surveillance impossible.
“While frontline responders acted decisively and, in many cases, heroically, in the face of extraordinary conditions, the events underscored the need for clearer policies, stronger training, integrated tools, and improved public communication,” the report stated.
Rep. Chu: “The report still does not explain why critical evacuation orders for west Altadena were delayed”
Among the most damning findings were the delayed evacuation orders in west Altadena during the Eaton Fire. Despite multiple 911 calls reporting visible flames, alerts to residents were delayed by several hours.
Rep. Judy Chu, who had previously called for an independent investigation, issued a strongly worded statement Thursday calling the report “disturbing” and incomplete.
“For example, the report still does not explain why critical evacuation orders for west Altadena were delayed for hours,” Chu said. “Without alerts, many residents either went to bed or waited too long to make plans for someone to come help them if they were physically unable to leave on their own.”
Chu also criticized the report for mentioning the 19 lives lost in the Eaton Fire only once.
“We need a full accounting of how each of these deaths was allowed to happen, and what specific actions officials could have taken the night of the fire to prevent their deaths.”
Key recommendations in the report include:
- Clarifying who has authority over evacuation orders
- Strengthening staffing and training at the Office of Emergency Management
- Unifying agency communications on a single real-time platform
- Ensuring alerts are immediate and comprehensive
Chu said she would continue to press for transparency, regular public updates, and concrete timelines for implementing reforms. She also pledged to advocate in Congress for increased federal support for local emergency response capabilities.
“I will work to ensure that Congress helps our local agencies have the staffing, technology and training they need to keep people safe… so warnings are never delayed again,” she said.
Board of Supervisors
The Board of Supervisors is expected to discuss the report and its recommendations at its public meeting on Tuesday, September 30. Chair Kathryn Barger emphasized that the review is not about assigning blame, but about “learning lessons, improving safety, and restoring public trust.”
Supervisor Lindsey Horvath echoed that call for action: “This report is only as strong as the action that follows. As climate-driven disasters accelerate, we must stay focused on education and prevention, training, and community partnerships that make us truly prepared.”
To complete the report, the McChrystal Group conducted 147 interviews and held six community listening sessions. It is the first in a series of reviews expected from both the County and the state. A follow-up study will examine recovery and repopulation efforts in the affected communities.
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