California fires updates for Thursday, Feb. 6

A second storm has made its way to Southern California, bringing rain to Los Angeles and prompting crews to shut down the Pacific Coast Highway in anticipation of possible mudslides. 

The ongoing winter weather has drawn serious questions for Angelenos who are aiming to bounce back from the deadly Eaton and Palisades Fires. 

Follow FOX 11's live blog with the latest updates provided on the Jan. 2025 fires in SoCal:

Mayor Bass, US EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin visit Palisades

2:45 p.m.: The two visited the Palisades to assess the progress on debris removal and recovery so far.

"I’m grateful to have the support of our federal partners as we work urgently to rebuild the Palisades," said Mayor Karen Bass. "The EPA is working to complete Phase 1 of the debris removal process while the City is working to expedite permitting processes and cutting red tape so Angelenos can rebuild as quickly as possible. We will get through this together."

Former VP Harris tours wildfire areas

2:25 p.m.: "I do believe that in these moments of crisis, the heroes and the angels among us are revealed," Harris said at a relief center established at the Westwood Recreation Center. "When I think about the work that is happening because of the leaders who are here and the folks who work with them, it truly is the best of who we are as a country -- which is individuals understanding the power that they have to lift up the condition of other people. Individuals who understand that in these moments of crisis, so many of the survivors of these crises feel alone, and just need to have a safe place to go, where they are treated with dignity and a sense of community. That they have a place to go where a perfect stranger sees in them a neighbor, sees in them someone who is worthy of their attention and their care and their love.

Harris previously toured the Eaton Fire burn area in Altadena on Jan. 20, after she officially left office and returned to Los Angeles from Washington, D.C.

Red Cross LA says financial assistance is available

9:50 a.m.: Red Cross Los Angeles posted to social media informing the community there is financial assistance available for those impacted by the Eaton, Palisades, Hurst and Kenneth fires. 

Click here for more information. 

Erin Brockovich to join Eaton Fire Town Hall

9:45 a.m.: Erin Brockovich will join two Eaton Fire Town Hall meetings scheduled for Friday and Saturday. 

• Town Hall #1 is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m.
• Town Hall #2 is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8 a 10 a.m.

Both meetings will be held at the Pasadena Masonic Temple located at 200 S. Euclid Avenue in Pasadena. 

Newsom to sign new executive order

7:40 a.m.: Gov. Gavin Newsom will sign an executive order that directs his administration to implement key initiatives to harden communities from urban firestorms.

The order will direct the State Board of Forestry to advance implementation of regulations known as "Zone 0," which will require an ember-resistant zone within 5 feet of structures located in the highest fire severity zone in the state's Fire Hazard Severity Zone local maps and the State Responsibility Area, mitigating the risk of conflagration in urban areas like what occurred during the Palisades and Eaton firestorms.

Fire debris collection site at Will Rogers State Beach

7:15 a.m.: FOX 11's Mario Ramirez reported from Will Rogers State Beach in the Pacific Palisades. The beach's parking lot will serve as a temporary hazardous debris collection site. 

Burn scar areas brace for more rain

6:00 a.m.: Residents who live in the Eaton Fire zone are keeping a close watch on the rain and the possible impact. If too much rain falls too fast, it could trigger flooding and mudslides. 

Cool and rainy conditions 

5:00 a.m.: FOX 11 Meteorologist Soumada Khan said Thursday brings cool and rainy conditions as the second system has moved into Southern California. The wet weather poses a threat to recent burn scar areas and may trigger mud and debris flood and other land movement. 

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. 

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.

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