Eaton Fire Update for Saturday, January 18th, 2025: Repopulation and Safety Guidelines

5 days ago5 min read

Saturday January 18th, 2025 :: 03:27 p.m. PST

Advisory

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is announcing the repopulation of communities impacted by the Eaton Fire effective 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 18th, 2025.The following areas have been modified.

Orders are Modified: Evacuation Orders have been lifted for the following areas:

located inside the unincorporated county area of the Altadena Community:
- For those using protect.genasys.com, these zones are listed as
  - LAC-E165-B
  - LAC-E167
  - LAC-E168-A

The following areas have been modified.

Orders are Modified: Evacuation Warnings have been lifted for the following areas:

located inside the unincorporated county area of the Altadena Community:
- South of Church Canyon Place, east of Old Toll Road, west of Sunset Ridge Road
- North of New York Drive, east of Altadena Drive, west of Eaton Canyon Trail
- South of Kinclair Drive, east of Kinneloa Canyon Road, west of Eaton Canyon Drive
- Southwest of Altadena Drive, north of New York Drive, east of Allen Avenue
- For those using protect.genasys.com, these zones are listed as
  - ALD-MILLARD
  - ALD-EATONCANYON
  - ALD-KINNELOA-A
  - ALD-MIDLOTHIAN

The following area has been modified.

Orders are Modified from Evacuation Order to Evacuation Warning for the following area:

located inside the unincorporated county area of the Altadena Community:
- South of Mendocino Street, east of Lake Avenue
- For those using protect.genasys.com, this zone is listed as
  - ALD-MENDOCINO-B

The following areas will be opened to residents only.

Orders are Modified: Evacuation Order with “soft closures” for the following areas:

located inside the unincorporated county area of the Altadena Community:
- South of Mendocino Street, north of Woodbury Road, east of Fair Oaks Avenue, west of Lake Avenue
- South of Harriet Street, north of Woodbury Road, east of Lincoln Avenue, west of Fair Oaks Avenue
- For those using protect.genasys.com, these zones are listed as
  - ALD-CALAVERAS-B
  - ALD-WHITEPARK-B

Entry and Exit Points are located at the following intersections:
- Woodbury Road and Fair Oaks Avenue
- Woodbury Road and Marengo Avenue
- New York Drive and Lake Avenue

Glenrose Avenue and Santa Anita Avenue can be used to exit the area.

To enter the entry points listed above, please drive northbound on Fair Oaks Avenue from Washington Boulevard, northbound on Marengo Avenue from Washington Boulevard, and or northbound Lake Avenue from Washington Boulevard. Do not enter from Woodbury Road or New York Drive.

A soft closure means the area is closed to the general public. It is still open to disaster crews, public safety personnel, and residents with identification only. Only residents with valid proof of residence (driver’s license, registration, utility bills, etc.) are allowed to enter and exit the soft closure area. Peace officers and National Guard will still be at check points and will ask for identification. Please have it ready to expedite the process.

Motor homes, trailers, and moving trucks are not permitted into the fire area at this time. Please do not remove anything from within your property, this includes any debris. Please refer to Public Health announcements regarding health and safety measures.

Public Works of Los Angeles County has a debris removal program. The Fire Department will coordinate an assessment of fire debris. Fire inspectors will provide the necessary clearances for safe removal of fire debris. Once hazardous materials are removed, the County will launch a debris removal program to assist private property owners in safely clearing debris. Please visit recovery.lacounty.gov for ongoing updates and guidance.

The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health has issued orders prohibiting the unsafe removal, transport, and disposal of fire debris to protect community safety.

The following link can be used to assist the public in determining if their property is in an area that can be entered: https://protect.genasys.com/ and searching for the EATON FIRE. The link connects users to an evacuation map, maintained by CalFire.

The Fire Incident Command continues to monitor the active fire areas, as well as those areas remaining closed due to critical infrastructure concerns or safety hazards.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department with our Public Safety partners have a strong presence in the repopulated and evacuated areas to ensure the protection of our residents and their property. All other road closures and evacuated areas for the EATON FIRE remain in effect.

If you return to your property and discover anything that you suspect may be human remains, we urge you to avoid disturbing the site. Please immediately contact your local Sheriff’s station. A team comprising our Homicide Bureau, the Medical Examiner’s Office, and Arson and Explosives Detail investigators will promptly respond to secure and investigate the scene.

Safety Tips for Returning to Fire-Affected Areas

As you prepare to return home after a fire evacuation, your safety remains our top priority. Please keep the following tips in mind to ensure a safe and smooth return:

Follow Public Health and Safety Orders.
Follow Official Guidance: Only return to your property when authorities have declared it safe to do so. Conditions can remain hazardous even after the fire is contained.
Inspect Your Surroundings: Be cautious of unstable structures, downed power lines, or weakened trees that may pose risks. There may be uncleared hazards in the roadway.
Wear Protective Clothing: Sturdy shoes, gloves, and a mask to protect yourself from debris, ash, and airborne particles.
Mind Health Hazards: Avoid direct contact with ash, which may contain toxic substances. If you have respiratory conditions, limit your exposure to ash and smoke, and use an N95 mask if necessary.
Check Utilities before use: Do not attempt to restore power, gas, or water until a professional has inspected the systems. Report any visible damage or strong odors like gas to utility providers immediately.
Document the Damage: Take photos and notes of any damage before beginning cleanup. This will be important for insurance claims or assistance requests.
Emotional Well-Being: Returning after a fire can be overwhelming. Take breaks, reach out to loved ones, and consider talking to a counselor or support group if needed.

The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions. Please continue to adhere to road closures and any evacuation warnings. A reminder to drive slowly and yield to emergency personnel in the area. There will still be smoke in the respective areas as firefighters continue firefighting operations. If at any time you feel unsafe, please call 911.

Remember, utility workers are continuing to repair damages as you repopulate the area. Power, water, and gas utilities may still be affected. Please report any visible damage or strong odors like gas to utility providers immediately. Your safety remains our number one priority.

Your safety and resilience are what matter most. If you have questions or need assistance, local resources and authorities are here to support you every step of the way.

For information regarding other municipalities affected by the Eaton fire, please visit:

City of Pasadena

Eaton Fire Updates - City of Pasadena

City Sierra Madre

Emergency Communications - Sierra Madre

City of Arcadia

https://www.arcadiaca.gov/

City of Monrovia

https://www.monroviaca.gov/your-government/city-manager-s-office/city-news-highlights

For more general safety information please visit the following websites:

Los Angeles County Eaton Fire Emergency

https://lacounty.gov/emergency/