Eaton Fire Live Updates: Tuesday, Jan. 14
LOS ANGELES - The deadly Eaton Fire continues to burn in Los Angeles' Altadena area as firefighters brace for challenging conditions in the firefight this week due to another round of powerful Santa Ana winds.
The Eaton Fire is now considered one of the deadliest fires in California history.
Follow along below for live updates.
Death toll
8:00 p.m. PST: The death toll from both the Palisades and Eaton fires stands at 24. Sixteen deaths are attributed to the Eaton Fire. According to the County Medical Examiner, an earlier report indicated that there were 25 deaths, but one of the remains were later confirmed to be non-human.
Structures damaged/destroyed
7:00 p.m. PST: In an update Tuesday night, Cal Fire reported that 3,988 structures were destroyed, 441 were damaged, and another 28,828 are threatened.
Evacuation orders lifted
3:00 p.m. PT: The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department downgraded evacuation orders in two separate areas of the Altadena area, including south of Canyon Crest Road and west of Lincoln Avenue. Those areas are now under evacuation warnings, but residents are being allowed back.
UP-TO-DATE EATON EVACUATION MAP
Strong winds delayed
1:30 p.m. PST: With Santa Ana winds developing slowly and weaker than originally anticipated, the National Weather Service has delayed implementation of "particularly dangerous situation" red flag warnings -- which were supposed to begin early Tuesday morning -- until 3 a.m. Wednesday. A regular red flag warning will continue to be in place until 6 p.m. Wednesday in much of L.A. County, but it will stay in place until 3 p.m. Thursday in the western San Gabriel Mountains and the 5 and 14 freeway corridors.
The red flag warning has been canceled in the San Gabriel Valley.
Disaster recovery centers open now
1:00 p.m. PT: Two disaster recovery centers have opened in Los Angeles to aid families impacted by the fires.
The centers can assist with retrieving lost records, disaster relief applications and mental and health services.
One is located in UCLA Research Park West and the other is at Pasadena City College Community Education Center.
They are open seven days a week, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Get more information here.
Red Flag Warning in effect
12:56 p.m. PT:
LA fires: Red flag warning in effect
Critical to extremely critical fire weather conditions will continue for Southern California through Wednesday.
‘The city can handle it’
12:42 p.m. PT: When asked if the city of Los Angeles is equipped to handle this kind of disaster, Bass responded, "The city can handle it, we have done it before. As I mentioned, I was here in ‘92, here in ’94, we did it then, we will do it now."
"We have the extra burden, excitement, opportunity, of the World Cup coming, and you know that prior to this tragedy, we were focused on getting ready for the world to come. We have to take care of Angelenos first," she said.
LA mayor update on wildfire assistance
At 12 p.m. Tuesday, LA Mayor Karen Bass provided an update on wildfire assistance.
Bass meets with families
12:26 p.m.: LA Mayor Karen Bass said she has met with evacuees in fire zones and continues to survey the widespread damage caused by the fires. "I don't always bring cameras with me where I go," Bass said. "I've also been trying to do everything that the city needs to respond to this as well."
Wildfire insurance claims
11:54 a.m. PT:
Assistance for schools
11:30 a.m. PT: Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Tuesday that he said would provide assistance to schools and students impacted by the LA fires, including provisions that will allow students at impacted campuses to attend schools outside their normal district.
The order will also ease the process for schools that were damaged or destroyed to hold classes in temporary facilities, while waiving penalties for high schools that fail to meet minimum school year requirements.
‘It’s a nightmare'
9:15 a.m. PST: The home of longtime Altadena coach Adonis ‘Coach Ad’ Jones was destroyed in the Eaton Fire. Jones told FOX 11's Mario Ramirez they had lived in the home for over 50 years. "I still can't imagine this happening to anybody, but it happened to us," he said. "The process is tremendously draining.. it's just unreal."
Eaton Fire destroys home of longtime Altadena coach
FOX 11's Mario Ramirez speaks with the Jones family, who was in their home for over 50 years before it burned down in the Eaton Fire.
Critical fire weather
9:04 a.m. PT: Red flag warnings of critical fire danger will be in place over the Eaton Fire burn area and much of Southern California through 6 p.m. Wednesday. Some areas could see wind gusts of 70 mph, according to the National Weather Service, leading to the quick spread of any new fires.
Firefighters brace for another round of vicious winds
As fire crews continue battling the Eaton, Hurst and Palisades fires, another round of Santa Ana winds posed a threat.
FEMA assistance available
8:45 a.m. PT: Forms of assistance include a one-time payment, help with transportation costs, medical bills, and funeral costs. To learn more about how to apply, visit fema.org.
Eaton Fire progress too late for many families
Red flag warnings of critical fire danger will be in place over the burn area -- and much of the Southland -- through 6 p.m. Wednesday. Some areas could see wind gusts of 70 mph, combining with low humidity levels that could lead to rapid spread of any new fires, or re-ignition of existing blazes.
Additional arrests made
8:21 a.m. PT: A total 53 arrests have been made - 39 by the LA County Sheriff's Department and 14 by the LAPD.
Sheriff Luna said the arrests include curfew violations, burglaries and two drone incidents. Luna added that no new human remains were discovered Monday in sheriff-controlled areas.
LA County Sheriff announces more arrests amid fires
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announces additional arrests in fire zones.
Chief McDonnell said the arrests include curfew violations, impersonating a police officer, impersonating a firefighter, DUI, vandalism, ammunition possession, burglary and other offenses. He said officers have also made three arrests in the past two days of people who allegedly started small fires in North Hollywood, Van Nuys and West Los Angeles.
The 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew is still in effect.
Firefighter injuries
8:19 a.m. PT: Five firefighters have suffered undisclosed injuries fighting the blaze, according to the county fire department.
Death toll, missing persons
8:17 a.m. PT: The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office has reported 16 deaths tied to the Eaton Fire, while county Sheriff Robert Luna said he anticipates that number to rise. He said deputies and firefighters are conducting a grid search of the burn area, which he called "a very grim task."
Luna said Tuesday morning that no additional human remains were found during Monday's grid search.
He said the sheriff's department has 18 active missing-person cases in the Eaton Fire area.
Community meeting
8:11 a.m. PT: A virtual community meeting will be held at 4 p.m. to provide updates on the current fire situation and to address any questions. The meeting will be streamed online. Anyone interested in submitting a question must do so in advance via email at 2025.eaton@firenet.gov.
LA County Fire Chief provides update on SoCal fires
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone provided an update on the wildfires burning in the county.
Containment grows
8:02 a.m. PT: The fire is now 35% contained, according to the latest update from Cal Fire. The fire is estimated at 14,117 acres. Over 7,000 structures are damaged/destroyed, and 30% of damage inspections have been completed, LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said.
Media briefing scheduled
6:24 a.m. PT: LA County officials will give the latest updates on the wildfires burning across Southern California during a press conference scheduled at 8 a.m. FOX 11 will stream the briefing in the live player above.
Damage inspections continue
6:06 a.m. PT: Fire officials say about 30% of the damage has been assessed in the fire zone.
Angeles National Forest closed
5:43 a.m. PT: The U.S Forest Service announced the entire Angeles National Forest is temporarily closed through Sunday, Jan. 19 at midnight due to critical fire danger.
Windstorm threat
4:30 a.m. PT: Fierce Santa Ana winds are forecast to return Tuesday and threaten the progress made so far. As of 5 a.m. Tuesday, the fire was 33% contained and has burned more than 14,000 acres.
The National Weather Service warned the weather will be "particularly dangerous" on Tuesday, when wind gusts could reach 65 mph.
SUGGESTED: California weather: Forecasters warn of ‘particularly dangerous’ situation'
The Eaton Fire
The Eaton Fire was first reported on Jan. 7 near Altadena and Midwick drives.
Since then, multiple people have died and at least 7,000 structures are 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.
Family separated after losing homes, businesses
Ashes are all that remain of much of the Sayegh family’s homes and businesses in Altadena after the devastating Eaton Fire tore through their neighborhood, destroying four generations of hard work.
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 Source: This report includes information from the Associated Press, Cal Fire and previous FOX LA reporting.