Introduction to the Eaton Fire Report
A “series of weaknesses” — including “outdated policies, inconsistent practices and communications vulnerabilities” — hindered Los Angeles County’s emergency-alert system in sending timely notifications to residents and efforts to evacuate them in Altadena and Pacific Palisades after fires that became massive broke out in both communities, according to a third-party report released on Thursday, Sept. 25.
The months-long review by Virginia-based McChrystal Group “did not identify a single point of failure in the county’s efforts to warn and evacuate residents in the face of multiple simultaneous fires in areas around the County,” the county’s Board of Supervisors said in a statement.
Background of the Eaton Fire
The board is scheduled to review the 133-page report at its Tuesday, Sept. 30, meeting.
To see the full report, click here.
“While frontline responders acted decisively and, in many cases, heroically, in the face of extraordinary conditions, the events underscored the need for clearer policies, stronger training, integrated tools, and improved public communication,” the report says.
Response to the Report
“Survivors of the Eaton fire deserve answers — and today’s report is an important step toward delivering them,” Supervisor and chairperson Chair Kathryn Barger said. “I called for this independent review to make sure we had a clear, fact-based look at how alerts, warnings, and evacuations were handled. This isn’t about pointing fingers. It’s about learning lessons, improving safety, and restoring public trust.
Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, in a statement, said “our communities deserve transparency—and this report is a critical step toward accountability. It shows where we fell short during the January wildfires and where we must do better.
“This report is only as strong as the action that follows,” she said.
Findings of the Report
The McChrystal Group said the report was not intended to assess blame, but rather to provide findings and recommendations to improve the system. Some of those improvements were already underway, the board said.
The Palisades and Eaton fires each broke out during an uncommon windstorm that swept through Southern California on Jan. 7, quickly ballooning to char tens of thousands of acres in Pacific Palisades and Altadena while damaging or destroying around 17,000 structures, mostly homes.
In all, 31 people were killed in the two fires, the majority in Altadena.
Evacuation and Notification System
But questions about the county’s evacuation-notification system quickly arose after it was discovered residents west of Lake Avenue in Altadena received alerts hours after residents east of Lake Avenue received them — which may have contributed to deaths.
In the Pacific Palisades, evacuation orders were sent after some homes were already burning, The Associated Press has reported.
The board voted for a third-party investigation into the county’s emergency alert system on Jan. 28 and brought on Virginia-based McChrystal Group to conduct the review.
Investigation and Review
By the time of its 90-day report in April, the McChrystal Group had conducted 33 group and individual interviews and had anticipated doing 18 more. The group had also conducted six community listening sessions, three each in the Palisades and Altadena.
The Eaton fire was fully contained exactly one month after the fire broke out, but not before it blackened more than 14,000 acres and damaged or destroyed around 10,000 structures, mostly in Altadena. The cause is still under investigation, but lawsuits have been filed both by residents of Altadena and, more recently, the federal government, against Southern California Edison accusing the utility’s equipment in the Eaton Canyon area of sparking and igniting the blaze.
Fire Spread and Containment
The fire initially spread south toward Sierra Madre, but a sudden change in the winds quickly pushed flames westward toward Altadena, presenting a much greater challenge for firefighters in much tougher topography.
The Palisades fire was fully contained on Jan. 31, more than three weeks after it broke out and rolled west, burning homes in the seaside community and scorching 23,000-plus acres.
Its cause remains under investigation as well, with investigators looking into a theory at one point that a previous fire on New Year’s Day in the area of Skull Rock, a popular hiking area, reignited.
Conclusion
The report highlights the need for improvements in the emergency alert system, evacuation procedures, and communication with the public. The county’s Board of Supervisors will review the report and take necessary actions to address the weaknesses identified. The survivors of the Eaton fire and the community deserve transparency and accountability, and this report is a critical step towards that.
FAQs
Q: What was the cause of the Eaton fire?
A: The cause of the Eaton fire is still under investigation, but lawsuits have been filed accusing Southern California Edison’s equipment of sparking and igniting the blaze.
Q: How many people were killed in the two fires?
A: 31 people were killed in the two fires, the majority in Altadena.
Q: What were the weaknesses identified in the emergency alert system?
A: The report identified outdated policies, inconsistent practices, and communications vulnerabilities as weaknesses in the emergency alert system.
Q: What actions will the county take to address the weaknesses identified?
A: The county’s Board of Supervisors will review the report and take necessary actions to address the weaknesses identified, including improving the emergency alert system, evacuation procedures, and communication with the public.
Q: When was the report released?
A: The report was released on Thursday, Sept. 25.
Q: How many structures were damaged or destroyed in the two fires?
A: Around 17,000 structures, mostly homes, were damaged or destroyed in the two fires.
