Remnants of John Diehl’s State Farm business in Altadena (Photo – Colorado Boulevard Newspaper)
Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) sent a letter to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors expressing serious concerns about the findings of the Independent After-Action Review of the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades Fires. The letter comes ahead of the Board’s scheduled vote to adopt the report’s recommendations.
By News Desk
The review confirmed that critical evacuation alerts were delayed in West Altadena, where 18 of the 19 fatalities occurred. While residents east of Lake Avenue were advised to evacuate as early as 7:26 pm, those west of the avenue did not receive an evacuation alert until 3:25 am—several hours after 911 calls had already begun from that area.
In her letter, Rep. Chu supported the report’s key recommendations, including efforts to clarify evacuation authority, enhance interagency coordination, modernize alert systems, and address staffing and equipment shortages. However, she also raised pointed questions about the delay in alerting West Altadena residents and the broader systemic failures that contributed to the tragedy.
“These are lifesaving measures that must be implemented with urgency and accountability,” Chu wrote. “We owe it to the victims, survivors, and their families to ensure that these evacuation delays and failures are never repeated.”
Chu urged the Board to not only adopt the report’s recommendations but also commit to full transparency and regular progress updates.
The Eaton Fire ranks as the second most destructive wildfire in California history, claiming 19 lives, destroying 9,500 structures, and displacing over 20,000 residents in Altadena and Pasadena.
Leave a Reply