Eaton Fire
🔥 Overview
Location:
Eaton Canyon in San Gabriel Mountains, spread into Altadena and Pasadena, Los Angeles County, CA.
Dates:
Ignited January 7, 2025 around 6:18 PM PST, fully contained by January 31, 2025 (a 24‑day incident)
📏 Size & Scope
Burned Area:
~14,021 acres.
Structures Affected:
Destroyed: ~9,418
Damaged: ~1,071
Included numerous homes, churches, schools, the Eaton Canyon Nature Center, and local businesses.
💔 Human Toll
Fatalities:
18 confirmed deaths.
Injuries:
≈9 civilian injuries + several firefighter injuries.
Missing:
Around 24 people reported missing at peak.
Evacuations:
Over 100,000 residents evacuated; ~71,000+ structures under orders/warnings
🌬️ Conditions & Cause
Catalyst:
A Santa Ana wind event with gusts up to 90–100 mph, combined with eight months of drought, created extreme fire conditions.
Ignition Source:
Under investigation; likely linked to faulty Southern California Edison transmission lines near the ignition zone
🚒 Firefighting & Containment Efforts
Initial Spread:
Grew from ~20 acres at ignition to over 1,000 acres within six hours.
Resource Deployment:
Peak of ~3,408 firefighters, 16 helicopters, 375 engines, 29 bulldozers, 50 crews, and 90 water tenders.
Containment Milestones:
- 27% contained by January 12
- 55% by January 16
- 73% by January 18
- 100% by January 31
💵 Aftermath & Impact
Recovery Costs:
Estimated total social and economic impact — approx. $27.5 billion.
Litigation:
Multiple lawsuits filed against Southern California Edison alleging negligence and liability
Environmental Challenges:
Winter storms post-fire contributed to debris, flash floods, and trail damage.
Community Response:
Volunteer relief efforts, Cal Poly-led rebuilding initiatives, and formation of community land trusts to prevent gentrification
