California fires updates: Sunday, Feb. 9
SUGGESTED COVERAGE: Lawyers blame Eaton Fire on SoCal Edison
Lawyers with LA Fire Justice say the Eaton Fire, which destroyed thousands of homes in Altadena and Pasadena, was "preventable," blaming the fire on Southern California Edison's equipment.
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.
Follow FOX 11's live blog with the latest updates provided on the Jan. 2025 fires in SoCal:
Predicted rain totals
7:55 p.m.: Most of the rain is expected Thursday and Thursday night, according to the NOAA's Weather Prediction Center.
Incoming storm
4:45 p.m.: The National Weather Service is forecasting the next storm system to bring widespread rainfall Tuesday night through Friday.
"Potential for significant rain amounts and higher elevation snow during this event, with the heaviest rain likely to occur Thu-Thu night," the agency said.
PCH to remain closed
3:50 p.m.: According to Caltrans, PCH will remain closed in both directions between Chautauqua Blvd. and Carbon Beach Terrace until further notice as a safety precaution and for crews still working to remove debris in the areas affected by the Palisades Fire.
More rain headed to SoCal
3 p.m.: The National Weather Service cited "growing potential for a strong storm Wednesday through Thursday of next week," with lingering showers possible on Friday.
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.
Protests continue
2:03 p.m.: Malibu-area citizens held a protest against the EPA's plans to use a Will Rogers State Beach parking lot as a staging area for storage and processing of hazardous materials from the Palisades Fire.
SUGGESTED COVERAGE: Will Rogers State Beach to be used as EPA toxic processing site
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is working to remove household hazardous wastes from properties destroyed or damaged in the recent wildfires, announced Wednesday it will use a Will Rogers State Beach parking lot as a staging area for storage and processing of such materials from the Palisades Fire.
FEMA recovery center amended hours
1:10 p.m.: Two FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers for residents impacted by the LA County wildfires will start operating with new hours Monday, officials said.
The center at UCLA Research Park West at 10850 W. Pico Blvd. and the Altadena Disaster Recovery Center at 540 W. Woodbury Road will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, according to the Joint Information Center.
Duarte residents fight back
12:05 p.m.: Duarte residents continue to express opposition to the location of a new processing site for debris from the deadly Eaton Fire.
Residents protest toxic waste in Duarte
Tensions continue to rise in Duarte as residents protest the EPA’s use of Lario Park as a collection site for debris from the Eaton Fire.
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.
Several lawsuits have been filed alleging that Southern California Edison's equipment was to blame. Videos in these lawsuits allegedly show fire sparking near SCE equipment. One of the lawsuits alleges that SCE failed to comply with essential electrical and fire safety standards, including failing to maintain power lines and overgrown vegetation.
SoCal Edison has said it's still too early decisively say what caused the Eaton Fire.
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.