California Fires Updates: Friday, Jan. 17

Residents across Los Angeles County face a long road to recovery after fires – the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades and other parts of West LA and the Eaton Fire in Altadena – devastated communities in the area. 

So far, authorities said 27 deaths have been reported while others remain missing in areas impacted by the flames. 

Some evacuees began returning home this week, as some found their homes in deplorable conditions with concerns raised about toxic materials. 

Follow along below for live updates.

Residents allowed back to Eaton Fire burn area

3 p.m. - Residents in the following Altadena communities are allowed back in: Southwest of Altadena Drive; north of New York Drive; and east of Allen Avenue. The following areas have since reopened to residents only [Evacuation orders downgraded to evacuation warnings] : East of Lake Avenue; south of Mendocino Lane; south of Church Canyon Place; east of Old Toll road; west of Sunset Ridge Road.

More residents allowed back to Palisades Fire burn area

1:30 p.m. - The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced more areas burned in the Palisades Fire would be reopened for residents, including many in the Topanga Canyon area.

All other road closures and evacuation areas are still in effect.

The latest map of active evacuation zones can be found here. The zones in yellow are under evacuation warnings; the areas in red are evacuation orders.

Returning residents will go through the following intersections:

  • Cold Canyon Road & Mulholland Highway
  • Old Topanga Canyon & Dry Canyon Cold Creek Road
  • Topanga Canyon & Viewridge Drive.

Those looking to return will need proof of residency, including an ID with your address on it as well as a recent utility bill, mortgage documents or deed.

Officials warned that power and gas may not yet be restored to some of the areas where residents are being allowed back. 

Crews working to restore power in Altadena

  • 10 a.m.: SoCal Edison crews were working to restore power in Altadena.

Therapy dogs to the rescue

  • 9 a.m.: Therapy dogs have been deployed to offer healing to first responders.

Southern California pastor offers words of hope

  • 8:46 a.m.: Pastor Greg Laurie from harvest Christian Fellowship offers words of hope as families begin the process of rebuilding.

Altadena neighborhoods decimated

  • 8:35 a.m.: The areas in the fire paths of the Eaton and Palisades fires are surrounded by destruction. FOX 11’s Gigi Graciette took us to an Altadena neighborhood that was wiped out by the flames.

Volunteers needed at Santa Monica College

  • 7:45 a.m: After receiving donations, volunteers are needed at Santa Monica College to help sort through and organize donated items this weekend.

Humidity to re-enter forecast

7:45 a.m.: FOX 11 Meteorologist Maria Quiban said relative humidity values will go up to help mitigate fire danger. However, northeasterly winds are set to re-enter the forecast on Monday. 

Eaton Fire containment

  • 7:00 a.m.: Cal Fire reported the Eaton Fire was 65% contained with 14,117 acres burned. This is an improvement from the 55% containment reported Thursday.

Other numbers:

  • Structures threatened: 14, 518
  • Structures destroyed: 7,193
  • Structures damaged: 805
  • Civilian fatalities: 16

Palisades Fire containment 

  • 6:00 a.m.: In an update provided by Cal Fire, the fire held at 23, 713 acres and was 31% contained.

Other numbers:

  • Structures threatened: 12, 250
  • Structures destroyed: 3,501
  • Structures damaged: 603
  • Civilian fatalities: 8
  • Civilian injuries: 3

The search for missing people in the Eaton Fire

  • 5:00 a.m.: FOX 11's Mario Ramirez reported authorities were in the process of searching for those who were reported missing in the Eaton Fire area.

Some Palisades Fire evacuees cleared to return home

  • 4:45 a.m.: More evacuation orders were lifted Thursday that allowed some residents to return home.

Onshore winds return

  • 4:20 a.m.: FOX 11 Weather Anchor Soumada Khan said winds have eased, equating to more favorable weather conditions in the firefights. However, winds speeds are expected to kick up in the High Desert.

The Eaton Fire

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

Since then, residents have died and at least 7,000 structures have been 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.

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 Tuesday, January 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.

Quick Resources

WildfiresLos Angeles CountyPacific PalisadesBrentwoodMalibuAltadena