California fires updates for Tuesday, Jan. 28

Los Angeles got much-needed rain over the weekend and at the start of the week, marking a positive break for Southern California after three weeks of nonstop fires.

Although fires are no longer as visible as they were in the previous weeks, the fire survivors face long and grueling roads to recovery as they look to rebuild following a traumatic Jan. 2025.

Follow FOX 11's live blog with the latest updates provided on the current fires burning in SoCal:

Mayor Bass responds to White House Press Secretary 

3:55 p.m.: Mayor Bass is responding to comments made by new White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who held her first press conference Tuesday.

Leavitt was asked at the briefing what role soldiers were playing in California water policy. She said California had "turned on the water," referring to the authorities allowing water to flow from northern California to southern parts of the state.

"Misinformation is unhelpful to the people of the Pacific Palisades at this time," a statement from Bass' office stated. "Karen Bass was telling private property owners they would have to wait 18 months to access their private property. That is false. The 18-month timeline was mentioned during a community meeting the night prior to the President’s visit. The Mayor put pressure on the President to do everything possible to make that quicker. The Mayor announced yesterday that all residents had access to their properties. Ms. Leavitt also implied residents can’t clean out their own properties. The Mayor and the County this morning released the forms for residents to opt to clean their own properties. Those who do not want to do that can sign up for the Army Corps of Engineers to do so."

Debris clearance program forms 

2:51 p.m.: "Right of Entry" forms giving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clear debris of wildfire-destroyed homes is now available for affected property owners, as Gov. Newsom said authorities are expediting the debris clearance process to get the rebuilding process moving.

You can access the form by tapping or clicking here.

Newsom, Magic Johnson speak at ‘LA Rises’ briefing

1:00 p.m. Following the announcement of the LA Rises initiative this morning aimed at expediting recovery relief efforts, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Earvin "Magic" Johnson explained more during a briefing. "I want to make sure I do my part to bring healing to the city but also those who lost their home or a loved one," Johnson said. 

Fire readiness funding 

12:12 p.m.: The City Council authorized the use of $125,000 for fire-readiness measures that are expected to benefit communities in northeast Los Angeles.

In a unanimous vote, council members approved two separate but related motions introduced by Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez to provide the Los Angeles Fire Department with $50,000 and a nonprofit with $75,000 for the development of a disaster resiliency plan.

Eaton Fire heroes honored 

10:45 a.m.: The LA County Board of Supervisors honored the heroes of the Eaton Fire on Tuesday, including the volunteers with the LA County Fire Community Brigade.

Newsom, Bass to hold news conferences on recovery efforts

10:10 a.m.: California Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass were scheduled to hold separate updates about recovery efforts. 

Pacific Palisades residents return home for first time in weeks

10:00 a.m.: FOX 11's Mario Ramirez spoke to Pacific Palisades residents who were allowed to return home for the first time in weeks. 

Hughes Fire 98% contained

9:40 a.m.: The Hughes Fire has approached full containment with 10,425 acres burned.

Palisades Fire 95% contained

9:30 a.m.: The Palisades Fire is 95% contained with 23,448 acres burned, Cal Fire officials said. Evacuations were downgraded as the Pacific Palisades is limited to resident-only access. 

Eaton Fire 99% contained

9 a.m.: The latest numbers from Cal Fire report the Eaton Fire is 99% contained with 14,021 acres burned. 

Angel City FC's captain loses childhood home

8:45 a.m.: Ali Riley, team captain for Angel City Football Club, shared how she lost her childhood home days before her wedding. Even during a time of devastation, she said the community rallied around her. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom announces 'LA Rises' initiative 

7:30 a.m.: Gov. Gavin Newsom enlisted the help of Dodgers Chairman Mark Walter, LA Lakers legend and businessman Earvin "Magic" Johnson, and LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman, for a private-sector initiative dedicated to expediting recovery efforts. 

SUGGESTED COVERAGE: LA Rises: Newsom announces initiative dedicated to accelerating recovery efforts after fires

Controversy brews over Eaton Fire debris site

5:15 a.m.: Some residents in LA County’s foothill communities are against the EPA’s plan to dispose of hazardous debris from the Eaton Fire at a nearby park. 

Pacific Palisades residents cleared to return home 

5 a.m.: Evacuation orders were lifted that allowed Pacific Palisades residents to return home for the first time in weeks. Residents will have to clear check-points before they are allowed to return to their neighborhoods. 

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.

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