Delayed Evacuation Alerts During the Eaton & Palisades Fires
A new after-action report commissioned by Los Angeles County revealed that a series of weaknesses prevented timely evacuation alerts during the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades wildfires. The review found outdated policies, unclear authority on issuing evacuation orders, and limited staffing within the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), which had only 37 employees to serve more than 10 million residents.
Communication systems between agencies were fragmented and not fully integrated, while power and cell outages further slowed coordination. The alert process itself was cumbersome, requiring multiple layers of approval before notifications could be sent, which often delayed warnings by 20 to 30 minutes. Some alerts reached unintended areas, while others failed to reach residents altogether—particularly vulnerable populations such as older adults or those without consistent digital access.
The fires, driven by Santa Ana winds, spread rapidly at night, leaving little time to warn affected communities. Many residents, especially in Altadena, reported receiving no advance evacuation notice even as flames approached their homes. The report avoided assigning blame to any one agency or official, instead pointing to a cascade of systemic failures that compounded under crisis conditions.
To address these issues, the report recommended restructuring the OEM for greater autonomy and staffing, modernizing alert technology, improving interagency communication systems, and standardizing emergency protocols. It also urged officials to clarify evacuation decision authority, streamline alert procedures, and strengthen public education around wildfire preparedness. County leaders have pledged to implement these reforms to ensure faster, clearer, and more reliable emergency alerts in future disasters.
An independent after-action review commissioned by Los Angeles County has revealed serious shortcomings in the county’s emergency alert and evacuation system during the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades wildfires.
Key Findings & Weaknesses
Outdated policies and inconsistent procedures: The report found numerous gaps in standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ambiguity about who had authority to issue evacuations.
Staffing & resource constraints: The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) was under-resourced, with only 37 employees to serve a population of over 10 million.
Communication and interoperability issues: First responders and decision makers used multiple, non-integrated communication systems. Cell outages, power loss, and the fast progression of the fires further impeded timely alerts.
Slow, multi-step alert process: Evacuation decisions had to pass through several hands: fire/sheriff identified zones → OEM field contact → OEM operations → alert vendor system. This chain caused delays (20–30 minutes) in many cases.
Limited alert reach and clarity: Some alert systems required residents to opt-in; some messages lacked full information and instead used links to convey details.
Vulnerable populations impacted most: Older residents, those without constant digital access, or those in areas with poor cell coverage were more likely to receive late or no alerts.
Scale & speed of the fire outpaced alerts: The Eaton Fire moved rapidly at night under Santa Ana winds, limiting the window for warnings.
Impacts & Outcomes
In some neighborhoods (especially in Altadena), residents reported receiving no advance evacuation notices even as houses were burning nearby.
Confusing or untimely alerts — and even alarms sent to unintended areas — led to panic and distrust.
The review did not attribute blame to a single failure but emphasized that a cascade of systemic issues amplified during the crisis.
Recommendations & Proposed Reforms
Restructure the OEM to have greater autonomy, clearer authority, and increased staffing.
Modernize alert technology, ensure better training on new systems, and integrate communications platforms among agencies.
Standardize protocols, clarify evacuation decision authority, and streamline public notification workflows.
Expand public education and preparedness messaging, especially in high risk wind and fire seasons, ahead of disasters.
