Authorities Release Updated Eaton Fire Information at Morning Press Conference

Containment of the deadly Eaton Fire in the Altadena and Pasadena area grew to 15% Saturday, with the fire having scarred 14,117 acres and killed at least six people.

Santa Ana wind conditions diminished slightly in many areas overnight, helping firefighters, but winds were expected to pick up again later Saturday into Sunday with gusts around 30 mph, then a stronger offshore wind event likely between Monday night and Wednesday with general gusts of 40 to 60 mph.

“The fire remained active overnight and is burning in an area with steep inaccessible terrain and critically dry vegetation,” fire officials said. “There is still a substantial amount of fire line to construct, including around communities. Minimal growth was observed, and resources continued to construct and improve fire line, as well as address public calls for service.

“Evacuation orders remain in place for the affected cities due to continued fire activity, numerous downed trees, downed power lines, gas leaks and power outages.”

Authorities said 972 structures were destroyed in the fire, many of them homes, with another 98 damaged. Those numbers were expected to rise significantly after further evaluation, and nearly 40,000 structures were said to be threatened.

An evacuation center was set up at the Pasadena Convention Center at 300 E. Green St. The Humane Society is on-site to accept small pets for boarding.

Small animals were also being accepted at Baldwin Park Animal Care Center at 4275 Elton St., while large animals were accepted at Industry Hills Expo Center at 16200 Temple in the city of Industry.

A curfew was in effect nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the mandatory evacuation areas, with only firefighters, law enforcement and utility workers allowed in those zones. Authorities said drinking water in evacuation zones is not safe to drink.

National Weather Service forecasters had said there would be a “significant drop off” in wind velocity through Saturday.

“This gives the area about an 18-hour reprieve in the winds through late morning Saturday before the next burst of offshore flow and wind begins … into Sunday morning,” according to the NWS.

That weekend wind event “seems generally focused on the San Gabriel Mountains but probably at least some advisory-level winds down into some of the valleys and Santa Monica Mountains.”

The NWS issued a high wind watch that will be in effect for the San Gabriel Mountains, western Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area and the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway that will be in effect Saturday night through Sunday afternoon. Those areas could see winds ranging from 30 to 50 mph, potentially gusting up to 60 mph.

But more powerful winds are anticipated to hit the region early next week.

“Right now it looks like Tuesday will be the strongest day,” forecasters said. “Unlike this week’s very dangerous event, which was more of a northerly wind event, this one is very likely to be a traditional (northeast) Santa Ana event. Still, the low humidities and the winds will combine to bring enhanced fire danger to the area.”

Some 2,832 personnel were assigned to the firefighting effort.

The Eaton Fire was reported at about 6:20 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in the hills above Altadena amid hurricane- force Santa Ana winds, according to Cal Fire. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

Los Angeles County Assistant Sheriff Myron Johnson said Friday that six people died in the Eaton Fire. The county medical examiner confirmed Friday that it was investigating six deaths from the Eaton area, and five from the Palisades Fire.

Luna also promised Friday that anyone caught looting in the fire zones would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. He said earlier this week that 20 arrests had been made in fire areas for alleged Looting. Johnson said Friday that since Thursday there had been 18 arrests, with 15 at the Eaton Fire and three in Pacific Palisades.

Among the structures destroyed in the fire was the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center. The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation reported that the Eaton Canyon Nature Center, Farnsworth Park’s Davies Community Center, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Altadena Golf Course Club House and adjacent buildings were destroyed.

Also destroyed in the blaze was The Bunny Museum in Altadena.

The entire Angeles National Forest was closed for public safety and the protection of natural resources through at least Jan. 15.

The U.S. Forest Service, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Pasadena Fire Department, Arcadia Fire Department, Sierra Madre Fire Department, Pasadena Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department were working under a unified command.

As a result of the fire, the Glendale, Pasadena and Burbank unified school districts, along with the Alhambra, South Pasadena, San Marino, La Cañada, Arcadia and Monrovia districts canceled classes for the week, as did Pasadena City College.

A few miles to the east, Santa Anita Park in Arcadia canceled racing this weekend due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County. Track officials say their property was being used to support several relief efforts, including the large charity drop-off that was set up at the Rose Bowl and relocated to Santa Anita Park’s south parking lot Friday afternoon.

Southern California Edison is using the entire north parking lot as its base camp to restore power to those in the affected areas and Santa Anita Park is working with additional response organizations requesting space.

Morning training will continue as scheduled both days and Santa Anita will remain open for simulcast wagering.