California wildfires recovery updates: Monday, Feb. 10
Lawmakers cracking down on wildfire crimes
Lawmakers introduced new legislation to target wildfire crimes.
LOS ANGELES - It's officially been more than one month since the start of the deadly Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles County. More than two dozen people have been killed, nearly 40,000 acres have burned and thousands of homes have been destroyed.
While the Eaton, Hughes, Palisades are fully contained, thousands continue the long road to recovery.
Another storm is forecast to hit the region this week. The National Weather Service cited "growing potential for a strong storm Wednesday through Thursday of next week," with lingering showers possible on Friday as well.
SUGGESTED COVERAGE: Palisades Fire started 1 month ago
It's been exactly one month since the Palisades Fire erupted in the Pacific Palisades, and some residents still haven't been allowed back.
Forecasters said the lack of rainfall leading up to the storm may lead to less severe impacts, mainly away from burn scars. "There is at least a moderate risk for widespread heavy rain, significant flooding, debris flows, high elevation mountain snow, and strong winds," the NWS added.
Follow FOX 11's live blog with the latest updates provided on the Jan. 2025 fires in SoCal:
Phase 2 removal begins this week
2:30 p.m.: Private property debris removal in the Palisades area begins this week, Mayor Karen Bass announced Monday.
"Phase 2" is led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and can begin on individual properties following a federal EPA’s sign-off that their work is complete on the property. Property owners must also choose to accept U.S. Army Corps debris removal or to hire their own contractor. Additionally,Mayor Bass will open a one-stop shop permitting office where residents can go for rebuilding needs this week.
"This is an unprecedented disaster recovery effort, and we are doing everything we can to make sure families can rebuild their homes and their lives as quickly and safely as possible," said Mayor Bass. "This accelerated timeline emphasizes the power of local, state and federal coordination and leadership, and we will continue cutting through bureaucracy and working together on behalf of the people of the Palisades."
Apply for disaster relief
2:00 p.m.: Property owners impacted by the recent wildfires may have certain property tax relief options available to them. If a property has been damaged/destroyed due to a disaster/calamity by $10,000 or more, taxpayers should file the Application for Reassessment of Property Damaged by Misfortune or Calamity with their County Assessor and at the same time, apply to the County Assessor to defer payment for the second installment of property taxes.
For more information on how to apply, tap or click here.
Altadena Golf Course to serve as Eaton Fire waste site
1:00 p.m.: Following a lease agreement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and LA County, the Altadena Golf Course will serve as an Eaton Fire disposal site. This marks the third staging area the EPA will use for temporary storage of hazardous material from the Eaton Fire zone.
Luka Doncic Foundation donates to wildfire recovery efforts
11:00 a.m.: The Luka Doncic Foundation announced they are committed to donating $500,000 to wildfire recovery efforts. Doncic was traded to the Lakers earlier this month.
New legislation to target wildfire crimes
10:00 a.m.: New legislation was introduced to target wildfire crimes.
New law targets wildfire crimes
The legislation was motivated by the devastating January wildfires with more than two dozen arrests of people accused of looting in fire zones, with some allegedly impersonating firefighters to avoid law enforcement.
Family visits home destroyed by Palisades Fire
9:25 a.m.: Good Day LA's Jenn Lahmers tells the story of a Pacific Palisades family who took their kids to see their home in ruins for the first time.
Family visits home burned in Palisades Fire
A Pacific Palisades family shared a gut-wrenching moment when they saw the ruins of what was once their home for the first time.
Homeowners, renters have one more month to apply for FEMA individual assistance
9:30 a.m.: Los Angeles County residents who were affected by the recent wildfires have until Monday, March 10, to apply for FEMA individual assistance. The funds will go toward helping those who are eligible meet their basic needs and supplement their wildfires recovery efforts.
Paradise Cove Beach Cafe reopens
8:00 a.m.: Paradise Cove Beach Cafe, a popular restaurant in Malibu, reopened Monday for the first time after the Palisades Fire.
Paradise Cove Beach Cafe reopening after Palisades Fire
The popular Malibu restaurant reopened its doors on Monday, Feb. 10.
Supervisor Lindsey Horvath talks wildfire recovery
6:45 a.m.: Los Angeles Supervisor Lindsey Horvath sat down with Hal Eisner to discuss wildfire recovery efforts on this weekend's episode of In Depth.
Click here to watch the full episode.
More rain expected in SoCal by mid-week, triggering concerns in burn scar areas
5:20 a.m.: After back-to-back storms last week, Southern California got a nice break over the weekend. The dry conditions will continue through Tuesday with another storm expected to hit the region by Wednesday.
Weather Forecast for Monday, Feb. 10
The latest forecast for the greater Los Angeles area, including beaches, valleys and desert regions.
What caused the Eaton Fire?
Last week, Southern California Edison submitted two letters to the California Public Utilities Commission on their ongoing investigations into the origins of the Eaton and Hurst fires that both erupted on the windy evening of Jan. 7 in Los Angeles County.
SoCal Edison has been hit with multiple lawsuits that allege its equipment started the deadly Eaton Fire in Altadena and surrounding areas. Company officials said this was likely the origin of the Hurst Fire in Sylmar.
While the report doesn’t specify an exact cause of how the fires started, videos have suggested a possible connection to SCE’s equipment.
"SCE has not identified typical or obvious indications that would support this association, such as broken conductors, fresh arc marks in the preliminary original area, or evidence of faults on the energized lines running through the area," Edison International, SCE’s parent company wrote, in the Feb. 6 report.
"While we do not yet know what caused the Eaton wildfire, SCE is exploring every possibility in its investigation, including the possibility that SCE’s equipment was involved," said Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, in a released statement. "We have been fully engaged since the start of the fires in supporting the broader emergency response, containment, recovery and investigation efforts."
The report said there are three transmission towers – four active and one inactive-- that carry lines in the Eaton Fire zone. All of the lines are currently deenergized.
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."
Other people have also been accused of arson across Southern California.