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Eaton Fire
The Eaton Fire was a highly destructive wildfire in Los Angeles County, in Southern California. The fire began on the evening of January 7, 2025, in Eaton Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains, and a powerful Santa Ana wind event drove the fire into foothill communities, particularly Altadena. The fire killed at least 19 people and destroyed more than 9,000 buildings, becoming the fifth deadliest and the second most destructive wildfire in California history. The cause of the fire is under investigation; news reports and lawsuits have focused on the possible involvement of high tension power lines operated by electrical utility Southern California Edison. The fire was fully contained on January 31 after burning for 24 days.
The Eaton Fire was one of eight major wildfires in Southern California in January 2025, and burned simultaneously with the deadly and destructive Palisades Fire in the Santa Monica Mountains.
A strong high-pressure system over the Great Basin created a steep northerly pressure gradient across Southern California. The system triggered powerful Santa Ana winds, extremely dry katabatic winds that develop when cooler, dense inland air is funneled through mountain passes and canyons toward the warmer coastal regions.
At the same time, the Southern Coast had experienced "eight months without any measurable rainfall," and much of the region had fallen into moderate drought conditions. The Los Angeles Times quoted a battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) that the conditions were "the perfect recipe for a large wildfire". The National Weather Service (NWS) issued red flag warnings on the morning of Monday, January 6, effective through the following Thursday evening, for multiple regions including the Malibu coast, Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, and the San Gabriel, San Fernando, and Santa Clarita valleys.
The NWS predicted a "life-threatening" windstorm, and Santa Ana wind gusts were forecasted to reach speeds of 60–80 miles per hour (97–129 km/h), with some peak gusts anticipated to reach 90 mph (140 km/h) in mountainous areas. Residents were urged to "use extreme caution with anything that can spark a wildfire" and for those near forests to be prepared to evacuate.
The fire began on January 7, 2025, at around 6:18 p.m. PST on the eastern hillside above Eaton Canyon Wash, across the wash from the intersection of Altadena Drive and Canyon Close Drive. By 6:26 p.m., firefighters on Canyon Close Road in Pasadena reported via radio that the fire had spread to 10 acres (4.0 ha) and was burning beneath high-tension power lines. By 6:33 p.m., firefighters there were reporting flying embers, which were setting structures on fire nearly one mile (1.6 km) distant.
Three night-flying helicopters with the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) had received orders to head to the Eaton Fire at 6:23 p.m. and arrived at about 6:36 p.m., 18 minutes after the fire was reported. They intended to drop water on it but, buffeted by ferocious updrafts and downdrafts, aborted the operation at 6:45 p.m. One helicopter crew remained on the scene for 39 more minutes to advise ground crews on the spread of the fire.
It rapidly expanded to over 1,000 acres (400 ha) by 12:07 a.m., fueled by a strong Santa Ana wind event, with winds blowing northeast to southwest with wind gusts of up to 100 mph (160 km/h) reported at the nearby Mount Lukens Truck Trail north of La Cañada Flintridge. By 6:30 a.m. on January 8, the fire had grown to over 2,227 acres (901 ha), with 0% containment. The fire continued to grow quickly, and by 10:36 a.m. was over 10,600 acres (4,300 ha) in area, remaining 0% contained. In the afternoon on January 9, the fire began to approach Mount Wilson with still 0% containment until the following day.
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Eaton Fire
The Eaton Fire was a highly destructive wildfire in Los Angeles County, in Southern California. The fire began on the evening of January 7, 2025, in Eaton Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains, and a powerful Santa Ana wind event drove the fire into foothill communities, particularly Altadena. The fire killed at least 19 people and destroyed more than 9,000 buildings, becoming the fifth deadliest and the second most destructive wildfire in California history. The cause of the fire is under investigation; news reports and lawsuits have focused on the possible involvement of high tension power lines operated by electrical utility Southern California Edison. The fire was fully contained on January 31 after burning for 24 days.
The Eaton Fire was one of eight major wildfires in Southern California in January 2025, and burned simultaneously with the deadly and destructive Palisades Fire in the Santa Monica Mountains.
A strong high-pressure system over the Great Basin created a steep northerly pressure gradient across Southern California. The system triggered powerful Santa Ana winds, extremely dry katabatic winds that develop when cooler, dense inland air is funneled through mountain passes and canyons toward the warmer coastal regions.
At the same time, the Southern Coast had experienced "eight months without any measurable rainfall," and much of the region had fallen into moderate drought conditions. The Los Angeles Times quoted a battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) that the conditions were "the perfect recipe for a large wildfire". The National Weather Service (NWS) issued red flag warnings on the morning of Monday, January 6, effective through the following Thursday evening, for multiple regions including the Malibu coast, Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, and the San Gabriel, San Fernando, and Santa Clarita valleys.
The NWS predicted a "life-threatening" windstorm, and Santa Ana wind gusts were forecasted to reach speeds of 60–80 miles per hour (97–129 km/h), with some peak gusts anticipated to reach 90 mph (140 km/h) in mountainous areas. Residents were urged to "use extreme caution with anything that can spark a wildfire" and for those near forests to be prepared to evacuate.
The fire began on January 7, 2025, at around 6:18 p.m. PST on the eastern hillside above Eaton Canyon Wash, across the wash from the intersection of Altadena Drive and Canyon Close Drive. By 6:26 p.m., firefighters on Canyon Close Road in Pasadena reported via radio that the fire had spread to 10 acres (4.0 ha) and was burning beneath high-tension power lines. By 6:33 p.m., firefighters there were reporting flying embers, which were setting structures on fire nearly one mile (1.6 km) distant.
Three night-flying helicopters with the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) had received orders to head to the Eaton Fire at 6:23 p.m. and arrived at about 6:36 p.m., 18 minutes after the fire was reported. They intended to drop water on it but, buffeted by ferocious updrafts and downdrafts, aborted the operation at 6:45 p.m. One helicopter crew remained on the scene for 39 more minutes to advise ground crews on the spread of the fire.
It rapidly expanded to over 1,000 acres (400 ha) by 12:07 a.m., fueled by a strong Santa Ana wind event, with winds blowing northeast to southwest with wind gusts of up to 100 mph (160 km/h) reported at the nearby Mount Lukens Truck Trail north of La Cañada Flintridge. By 6:30 a.m. on January 8, the fire had grown to over 2,227 acres (901 ha), with 0% containment. The fire continued to grow quickly, and by 10:36 a.m. was over 10,600 acres (4,300 ha) in area, remaining 0% contained. In the afternoon on January 9, the fire began to approach Mount Wilson with still 0% containment until the following day.