Monday, January 20, 2025

Officials Hope to Allow Thousands of Altadena Evacuees to Return Home This Week, Weather Permitting

STAFF REPORT

Authorities balance safety concerns with resident needs

At a community briefing Sunday at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Los Angeles County officials outlined plans to potentially allow thousands of evacuated residents to return to their Altadena properties by the end of next week, though they emphasized the timeline remains heavily dependent on weather conditions and the outcomes of comprehensive safety assessments.

Officials announced Eaton Fire’s burn area was re-calculated to be less acreage and is now listed as 14,021 acres. It was 81% contained, but officials face new challenges with an incoming severe wind event starting Monday.

“The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning beginning tomorrow morning at eight o’clock and continuing through 10 o’clock on Tuesday evening,” said meteorologist Dennis Burns, adding that “particularly dangerous” conditions are expected with valley winds of 20-30 mph and potential gusts up to 80-100 mph in higher elevations.

Seventeen residents have died in the fire, with searches continuing for 20 missing persons.

“We have homicide detectives who are coordinating with the medical examiner’s office with cadaver dogs and they’re coming back in to do third and fourth searches,” Sheriff Robert Luna told residents.

Multiple safety criteria must be met before evacuation orders can be lifted, according to Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrellaa. These include extinguishing all hotspots, completing urban search and rescue operations, clearing hazardous conditions, repairing critical infrastructure, and conducting structural assessments.

A massive response effort includes 3,500 contractors working around the clock to complete the process.

Properties are getting colored tags indicating status: green for safe occupancy, yellow for restricted use with specific hazards noted, and red for unsafe entry.

Pestrella emphasized that entering red-tagged buildings is prohibited by law.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has distributed $32 million in grant money to survivors. Recovery centers are operating at UCLA research park and Pasadena City College Education Center, offering assistance with applications for federal aid.

Approximately 8,900 customers remain without power in Altadena and surrounding areas, while about 1,200 residents remainr under “do not drink” water orders. Gas service is being systematically restored across the area.

Local schools will implement a phased reopening starting January 23rd, with all schools scheduled to reopen by January 30th. The fire has impacted about 10,000 students and 1,400 school employees.

Law enforcement has made 39 arrests in the fire area, including 11 for burglary, and maintains a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

“We are asking for identification for people that are coming in to make sure that they are residents that live here,” Sheriff Luna said, citing incidents of individuals impersonating emergency workers to access restricted areas.

Officials emphasized their commitment to resident safety while acknowledging the desire to return home.

“Every conversation that takes place does include the repopulation portion of it,” Luna said. “We want to get you back to your homes as soon as possible. We’re very sensitive to that.”