Containment of deadly Eaton Fire reaches 89% as winds return

Crews established 89% containment Tuesday of the deadly 14,000-acre Eaton Fire, up from from 73% over the weekend, officials said.

Nearly 2,400 firefighters were on-site battling the blaze Tuesday continuing to mop up and extinguish hot spots within the fire’s perimeter, according to Cal Fire.

Firefighters were using water-dropping helicopters to douse hot spots in steep, inaccessible terrain near Winters Creek, Mt. Lowe and Mt. Wilson, as a new wind event headed into the region.

As containment grew, many of the thousands of residents under evacuation orders began retuning home Monday.

“The repopulation of residents is ongoing, with zones being released in phases to ensure safety of public and utility agencies,” Cal Fire reported. “Numerous calls for service continue to be received from communities that are repopulating.”

County officials on Monday afternoon said all residents evacuated from the Altadena area may return, but some areas are still under an evacuation order and open only to locals with a valid proof of residence.

Detailed information on evacuation orders and other fire-related information is at fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/eaton-fire.

The Infrastructure Group is assisting the LA County Public Works Department with clearing roads and opening storm drains, according to fire officials. The Southern California Gas Co. reported that natural gas service has been restored to 3,040 structures.

SoCalGas officials said they had temporarily shut off service to 16,700 customers last week in the Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre communities as a safety measure. The utility has an information booth for customers at the Santa Anita Mall, Gate 8, 400 S. Baldwin Ave. in Arcadia.

Southern California Edison reported that electricity has been restored to 11,862 structures near the fire area, with 7,549 still without power.

“Fire Suppression Repair is nearing completion,” according to a Cal Fire statement. “Resources continue to be staged in La Cañada along the western flank of the fire, ready to respond to any new fire starts or fire activity within the current footprint.

Officials said the “particularly dangerous situation” red flag warning expires at 10 a.m. Tuesday, with northeast winds gradually decreasing through the morning. Conditions were expected “to remain critically dry with extremely low relative humidity.”

Cal Fire also issued an alert about fraudulent social media accounts impersonating the agency and soliciting donations. 

Cal Fire “does not solicit donations from the public, either in person or online,” officials said in a statement, adding that all of the agency’s “social media accounts are verified accounts and have the blue or gray checkmark and are categorized as a Government Organization. If you do not see the checkmark, it is not an official … account.”

Officials provided these tips for identifying fraudulent social media accounts:

• “Make sure the social media handle matches what is listed on official websites.
• “Official government accounts generally post professional, relevant, and timely information.
• “Look for official announcements or references to other credible sources, such as links to government websites or trusted news outlets.
• “Be wary of accounts with low follower counts or sudden, rapid growth.
• “Government accounts will never ask for sensitive personal information via social media.”

The fire has burned 14,021 acres in Altadena and Pasadena since its start on Jan. 7, left 17 dead, destroyed 9,418 structures and damaged 1,071 others, Cal Fire officials said Tuesday morning. Eight firefighters have been injured, and the blaze was threatening 6,775 structures.

Some notable buildings destroyed in the Eaton Fire were the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, LA County’s Eaton Canyon Nature Center, Farnsworth Park’s Davies Community Center, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Altadena Golf Course Clubhouse and adjacent buildings and the Bunny Museum in Altadena.

Damage inspection teams have completed inspections for 99% of all structures in the fire’s footprint, Cal Fire reported Tuesday.

Damage inspection maps for affected by the Eaton Fire show damaged or destroyed homes and also homes that escaped damage. The maps are online at fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/eaton-fire.

LA County provides damage assessments updated daily in real time at recovery.lacounty.gov/eaton-fire.

Amid the start of repopulation and recovery efforts in the Eaton Fire’s footprint, another Santa Ana wind event moved into the area. High winds were expected through Tuesday night, creating a high risk for critical fire weather conditions and the swift spread of any new fires. Gusts could reach 60 mph, with some forecasts warning of possible 80 mph gusts in LA and Ventura counties according to the National Weather Service.

Pasadena issued red flag parking restrictions Monday to give the fire department easier access and aid resident evacuation on narrow or winding roads, city officials said.

The restrictions are effect until at least 6 p.m. Tuesday unless conditions change. The Southland will be under a red flag warning for extreme fire danger through Tuesday night.

More information and the full list of streets with restricted parking is at CityOfPasadena.net/Fire/Red-Flag-Parking-Restrictions.

An evacuation center was established at the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St. The Pasadena Humane Society is on-site to accept small animals for boarding. Another option for boarding small pets is the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center, 4275 Elton St. Large animals were accepted at the Industry Hills Expo Center, 16200 Temple Ave. in Industry.

A curfew was in effect nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the mandatory evacuation zones. Only firefighters, law enforcement officers and utility workers are allowed in those areas.

Luna reported last week that over 30 people had been arrested in both the Eaton and Palisades fire-ravaged areas, some for alleged looting and others for allegedly possessing narcotics or weapons. Two people were arrested for allegedly operating a drone in a fire area.

The Palisades Fire has scorched 23,713 acres in Pacific Palisades, claimed 11 lives and has destroyed or damaged more than 7,000 buildings, according to Cal Fire. The fire, which has caused injuries to three civilians and one firefighter, was 63% contained Tuesday. The fire was threatening more than 12,000 structures.

The Pasadena Unified School District, which includes Altadena, announced 10 schools and programs will reopen Thursday:

• Hamilton Elementary;

• Willard Elementary & Children’s Center;

• Blair Middle and High School;

• San Rafael Elementary;

• McKinley School;

• Rose City High School;

• Center for Independent Study;

• Pasadena Adult Living Skills;

• Twilight Adult School; and

• Aveson Global Leadership Academy.

The entire Angeles National Forest has been closed through at least Wednesday.

The Eaton Fire was first reported about 6:20 p.m. Jan. 7 in the area of Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in the hills above Altadena during extremely fast Santa Ana wind conditions, according to Cal Fire.

The cause of the massive wildfire was under investigation.

Updated Jan. 21, 2025, 10:28 a.m.

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