California fires updates for Sunday, Jan. 26
LOS ANGELES - As the long road to recovery continues for the thousands devastated by Los Angeles' recent wildfires, the region braces for a winter storm that could trigger land movement across Southern California.
While the rain is much-needed, it could also be destructive.
Officials said residents in the burn scar areas should prepare for mudslides and land movement, in particular, survivors in Altadena and other parts of the San Gabriel Valley– who were devastated by the Eaton Fire – and residents in the Pacific Palisades – who were hit by the Palisades Fire.
FOX 11 is also keeping tabs on a storm system moving into Southern California.
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Follow FOX 11's live blog with the latest updates provided on the current fires burning in SoCal:
Altadena braces for mudslide threat
5:40 p.m.: A flood watch took effect at 10 a.m. Sunday and was set to continue through 4 p.m. Monday for the burned areas of the Eaton fire in the Altadena and Pasadena areas.
Palisades debris flow
5:15 p.m.: Rain within the Palisades Fire area is causing concern for debris flow.
There is a hard road closure at Sunset Blvd and Palisades Drive as the dozers work to clear the road.
Tubbs Fire survivors stepping up
5 p.m.: Victims of the 2017 Tubbs Fire are stepping up to help those impacted by the recent wildfires across Los Angeles County. FOX 11's Hailey Winslow has the story.
More Pasadena USD schools reopening
2:45 p.m.: The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) announced on Sunday that Phase 2 of its school reopening will BEGIN on Monday, January 27.
Field Elementary, Washington STEM Magnet, Madison Elementary, Norma Coombs Elementary, and the Children's Center at Jefferson will all reopen on Monday, with the Alma Fuerte Charter at Cleveland reopened on Friday, January 24.
For more information, tap or click here.
Palisades repopulation continues
2 p.m.:
‘We will rebuild’
1:45 p.m.: Over 600 people attended the Malibu Town Hall held Saturday evening.
The Town Hall featured updates from elected officials, City staff, and representatives from partner agencies on current fire response operations and the next steps in recovery and rebuilding.
During the meeting, officials said the city is prioritizing recovery resources and creating a streamlined process for rebuilding. At the upcoming January 27 City Council meeting, the Council will consider key actions to support recovery efforts, such as Amendments to the Local Coastal Program (LCP) and Municipal Code and the Formation of a Palisades Fire Ad Hoc Committee. The proposed changes aim to simplify the LCP and expedite the rebuilding process for structures damaged or destroyed by the Palisades Fire, and prior fires including the Broad Fire and Franklin Fire. A temporary committee, if established, will represent the City at recovery-related events and meetings, provide timely input to staff, and recommend necessary actions to the full Council.
Flood Advisory issued
12:45 p.m.: A Flood Advisory has been issued for eastern portions of the Franklin and Palisades burn scars due to the storm. Avoid these areas due to the possibility of minor debris flow, the NWS cautioned.
Latest numbers on all fires
10:15 a.m.:
Hughes Fire
- Fire Size: 10,425 acres, 92% contained
- Structures Threatened: 190
- Structures Damaged: 0
- Structures Destroyed: 0Note: Does not include structures believed destroyed, but pending confirmation.
- Note: Does not include structures believed destroyed, but pending confirmation.
Eaton Fire
- Fire Size: 14,021 acres, 95% contained
- Structures Threatened: 6,775
- Structures Damaged: 1,073
- Structures Destroyed: 9,418Single Residences – 6,018Multiple Residences – 96Mixed Commercial / Residential – 5Nonresidential Commerical Property – 153Other Minor Structures – 3,146
- Single Residences – 6,018
- Multiple Residences – 96
- Mixed Commercial / Residential – 5
- Nonresidential Commerical Property – 153
- Other Minor Structures – 3,146
Palisades Fire
- Fire Size: 23,448 acres, 81% contained
- Structures Threatened: 12,317
- Structures Damaged: 1,000
- Structures Destroyed: 6,821Single Residences – 5,413Multiple Residences – 138Mixed Commercial / Residential – 3Nonresidential Commerical Property – 159
- Single Residences – 5,413
- Multiple Residences – 138
- Mixed Commercial / Residential – 3
- Nonresidential Commerical Property – 159
- Other Minor Structures – 1,114Note: Does not include structures believed destroyed, but pending confirmation.
- Note: Does not include structures believed destroyed, but pending confirmation.
The LA County Medical Examiner has identified 18 victims of the confirmed 28 deaths as a result of the fires.
Flood Watch in effect
10 a.m.: The National Weather Service issued a flood watch from 4 p.m. Sunday to 4 p.m. Monday for the Eaton, Palisades, Franklin, Bridge and Hughes burn scars.
Hughes Fire and Palisades Fire update
9:38 a.m.: The Hughes Fire has burned 10,425 acres and is 92% contained, according to Cal Fire.
Meanwhile, containment of the Palisades Fire grew overnight from 84% to 87%. The amount of acreage burned was unchanged at 23,448 acres, according to Cal Fire.
Mud/rockslide warning issued for Altadena and Malibu
6 a.m.: The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued a warning for residents in Altadena and Malibu. Due to recent wildfires, the areas are at high risk for mud and rockslides. Officials are asking residents to:
- Stay informed about weather forecasts and emergency alerts
- Have a family emergency plan in place
- Keep a battery-powered radio, flashlight and first aid kit
- Stay away from burned areas and avoid travel during heavy rainfall
- Follow evacuation orders
Eaton Fire nears full containment
5:20 a.m.: The latest data from Cal Fire indicates the Eaton Fire is 95% contained with 14,021 acres burned.
Palisades Fire 84% contained
5:15 a.m.: Fire crews have now reached 84% containment of the Palisades Fire that charred 23,448 acres.
Hughes Fire approaches full containment
5 a.m.: The Hughes Fire is now 90% contained with 10,425 acres burned, Cal Fire said.
The Hughes Fire
The Huges Fire was first reported in the Castaic area on Wednesday, Jan. 22 along Lake Hughes Road near Castaic Lake. Within an hour, the fire exploded from 50 to 500 acres. Officials quickly issued evacuation orders and warnings, including students who were taken to other schools and locations.
The first day of the firefighter also caused a temporary closure of the Grapevine along the 5 Freeway.
By the next day, several evacuation orders and warnings were downgraded.
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.
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 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.