Monday, May 18, 2026

Probe Finds No Fault in West Altadena Evacuation Decisions in Eaton Fire

CITY NEWS SERVICE

An independent investigation did not identify any misconduct or delay in evacuation decision-making by the Los Angeles County Fire Department in response to the Eaton Fire in areas west of Lake Avenue, officials announced Monday.

Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said he initiated the independent investigation because the Altadena community deserves transparency. The Eaton Fire erupted on Jan. 7, 2025, destroying more than 9,400 structures, leaving thousands displaced and killing 18 people many of whom were residents in West Altadena.

“While the report provides an honest account of our operations, we recognize that no investigation can truly capture the horror and tragedy residents endured,” Marrone said in a statement. “My focus is to ensure that the lessons learned from the Eaton and Palisades fires are turned into lasting changes that will better protect our residents and neighborhoods into the future.”

The investigation was conducted by Citygate Associates, which examined evacuation decisions, incident communications and fire behavior during the critical overnight hours between 9 p.m. on Jan. 7 and 6 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2025.

Based on interviews, operational records, dispatch information and incident communications, the investigation concluded that fire command officials acted “appropriately amidst unprecedented fire and weather conditions that grounded aircraft, leaving them without aerial surveillance to track the spread of the Eaton Fire in real-time,” according to the fire department.

Citygate Associates produced a 51-page report, detailing its review and findings, with the following key insights:

• Evacuation orders were not delayed as firefighters used past, successful strategies and tactics that had failed due to their inability to track the fire real-time through aerial support;

• No evidence was found of bias in evacuation decisions. Unified command had prioritized seniors and people with disabilities for evacuations and rescues;

• Evacuation orders were issued before the fire cross west of Lake Avenue. The analysis found that evacuation orders were given for areas west of Lake Avenue at 3:25 a.m. before the main fire cross into the area between Concha Street and East Las Flores Drive at around 5:13 a.m.;

• Clarifying communications. Previous reports that described late- night communications about the expansion of evacuations in Altadena all the way west to La Cañada could not be verified. Citygate, however, did identify new texts confirming that communications about that issue focused on conditions in Sierra Madre and not Altadena. That communications addressed two Sierra Madre Genasys Zones already under evacuation orders; and

• Extreme fire behavior made it difficult to stop the fire as it exploded on two fronts. On the western side, extreme conditions with steep slopes, historic winds and street/canyons caused the fire to spread dangerously into older, densely built neighborhoods.

LA County Fire Department officials said they accepted the report’s findings and recommendations. A previous review urged fire officials to develop other processes when aircraft cannot fly for information.

Among other changes, the department has integrated new technology, and new units and teams, is seeking a new 911 Computer Aided Dispatch system, and is piloting OroraTech for satellite imagery.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Altadena, said the investigation reflects the “importance of thoroughly examining the decisions, communications and emergency conditions surrounding the Eaton Fire response.”

She supported the findings, adding that they provide new information about evolving field communications.

“At the same time, this investigation should not be interpreted as dismissing the experiences of residents,” Barger said in her statement. “Public trust requires both accountability and a willingness to learn from every aspect of a disaster response.”