County Supervisors Prepare to Publicly Review Fire Response Failures

Cell phone images of the first moments after the Eaton Fire ignited on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, on the mountainside opposite Midwick Drive’s terminus at N. Altadena Drive in Altadena. [Jennifer Errico]

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will examine an independent report Tuesday that found significant weaknesses in alert and evacuation systems during January’s deadly wildfires.

The McChrystal Group review examined the county’s response to the Eaton and Palisades fires that killed 31 people and destroyed more than 16,000 properties. The fires hit Altadena, Pacific Palisades and parts of Los Angeles, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and Malibu.

The after-action report found no single failure point in the county’s warning and evacuation efforts. Instead, it identified multiple problems including outdated policies, inconsistent practices and communication gaps.

Hurricane-force winds on Jan. 7 grounded all firefighting aircraft and caused power outages. The conditions also prevented nighttime aerial surveillance during the critical early hours.

“While frontline responders acted decisively and, in many cases, heroically, in the face of extraordinary conditions, the events underscored the need for clearer policies, stronger training, integrated tools, and improved public communication,” the report said.

The review was commissioned by the Board of Supervisors after the unprecedented wind-driven fires. McChrystal Group interviewed 147 participants and held six community listening sessions for the assessment.

Board Chair Kathryn Barger called the report “an important step toward delivering” answers to fire survivors. She said the review aimed to provide “a clear, fact-based look at how alerts, warnings, and evacuations were handled.”

“This isn’t about pointing fingers. It’s about learning lessons, improving safety, and restoring public trust,” Barger said.

Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath said the report shows “where we fell short during the January wildfires and where we must do better.”

The board meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration. The fire report discussion is scheduled for 9:45 a.m.

County Sheriff Robert Luna, Fire Chief Anthony Marrone and Emergency Management Director Kevin McGowan will participate. McChrystal Group Partner Shawn Tyrie will also attend.

This marks the first of several planned after-action reviews by the county, state and other agencies. McChrystal Group has been selected to conduct a second comprehensive review focusing on recovery and repopulation efforts.

The meeting will be livestreamed on the Board of Supervisors’ YouTube channel.