California fires updates for Friday, Jan. 31

Protest against Malibu debris dump site

Protesters in Malibu criticized the EPA for setting up a hazardous debris staging area near Topanga Canyon Boulevard, fearing environmental contamination.

Thousands of residents across Los Angeles County continue picking up the pieces and are starting the rebuilding process after losing their homes in the Eaton and Palisades fires.

Cleanup efforts are taking place across Los Angeles County as families figure out where to go and aim to return to a sense of normalcy.

Follow FOX 11's live blog with the latest updates provided on the Jan. 2025 fires in SoCal:

PCH reopens

6 p.m.: Both Eaton and Palisades fires have reached full containment.

4:20 p.m.: All areas of Pacific Coast Highway will reopen to essential traffic beginning Sunday, Feb. 2. Only one lane will be open in each direction and with reduced speeds in effect. The reopening will go into effect at 8 a.m. Sunday in all areas of PCH, according to city officials. According to the LAPD, curfew will not be enforced in the area.

Pacific Palisades to reopen to the public

The City of Los Angeles has announced that the Pacific Palisades will be open to the general public on Sunday, Feb. 2, just under a month since the Palisades Fire broke out.

Malibu man meets firefighters who saved his home

1:30 p.m.: FOX 11's Cristy Fajardo tells the heartwarming story of a Malibu man who was able to meet the El Segundo firefighters who saved his home from the Palisades Fire.

Malibu man meets firefighters who saved his home

It was a touching moment when a Pacific Palisades homeowner met the firefighters who saved his house.

Man charged with crashing drone into Super Scooper

Palisades Fire: Drone operator pleads guilty to charges

Federal charges were filed against a drone operator who used the device while the Palisades Fire was raging, officials announced Friday.

10:15 a.m.: Peter Tripp Akemann, 56, of Culver City, agreed to plead guilty to recklessly operating a drone that crashed into and damaged a Super Scooper firefighting aircraft fighting the Palisades Fire earlier this month, federal prosecutors announced Friday. Akemann faces a prison sentence of up to one year in federal prison if convicted as charged.

Palisades Fire update expected

9:30 a.m.: At 10 a.m., Law enforcement officials are planning to announce court filings related to a high-profile incident during the Palisades Fire.

Recapping the FireAid benefit concert

7:00 a.m.: The FireAid benefit concert was a night of unity as artists from multiple genres came together to support and uplift victims of LA's recent wildfires.

Inglewood hosts FireAid benefit concert

Some of the biggest names in music came together to perform at the FireAid benefit concert to help those impacted by the recent LA wildfires.

Palisades Fire debris site sparks backlash

6:45 a.m.: Residents want answers about the Palisades Fire cleanup and storage. They worry that the designated site to dispose of waste from the fire could have a long-term impact.

Palisades Fire debris site sparks backlash

Some residents expressed concerns about the designated area to dispose of waste from the Palisades Fire.

Friday morning's containment numbers on the Hughes, Palisades and Eaton fires

5:30 a.m.: Fire authorities provided great news on Thursday night and confirmed the Hughes Fire that erupted in Castaic on Jan. 22 was fully contained. The Palisades Fire was 98% contained with 23,448 acres burned while the Eaton fire remained 99% contained with 14,021 acres burned.

The Eaton Fire

The Eaton Fire was first reported on Tuesday, Jan. 7 near Altadena and Midwick drives.

Some residents did not survive the flames and at least 7,000 structures were destroyed.

Authorities have implemented a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for all areas that remain under mandatory evacuation orders in the Altadena area. This comes after more than 30 looting arrests were made by the LA County Sheriff's Department.

What caused the Eaton Fire?

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but they were fueled by extreme drought conditions, combined with the supersized Santa Ana winds that whipped flames and embers at 100 mph – much faster than usual.

A lawsuit filed Monday claims Southern California Edison equipment sparked the Eaton Fire.

The lawsuit alleges that Southern California Edison failed to comply with essential electrical and fire safety standards, including failing to maintain power lines and overgrown vegetation.

The Palisades Fire

The Palisades Fire broke out on the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 7 as parts of Southern California were hit by powerful Santa Ana winds – the strongest to hit the area in over a decade, officials said. The piercing winds not only intensified the spread of the fire, it also prevented helicopters and planes from dumping water or fire retardant onto the burning scene as it was too dangerous to fly during the first day of the massive fire.

The fire extended well over 23,000 acres in seven days, destroying homes and businesses across the Pacific Palisades and Malibu. The fire also forced evacuations across parts of LA County, including Bel-Air, Brentwood and Santa Monica.

The fire also destroyed the Pacific Palisades Charter High School and other schools in the fire's path.

What caused the Palisades Fire?

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, a popular hiking destination, Skull Rock – an area north of Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades – is at the center of an investigation "as a possible starting point for the Palisades fire."

Meanwhile, local authorities have announced multiple rounds of arrests taking place from the Palisades Fire scenes, but none of which are explicitly related to the cause of the fire. Over the weekend, there was an announcement of a man arrested for impersonating a firefighter. The alleged "fake firefighter" was accused of trying to break into one of the evacuated homes.

Other people have also been accused of arson across Southern California.