Break in winds allows crews to make big gain on Eaton fire; containment grows on Palisades fire, too

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Despite the threat of strong winds, crews battling the Eaton fire made significant gains overnight and now have containment lines around nearly half of the fire, authorities said on Wednesday morning, Jan. 15.

The fire remained at 14,117 charred acres, but it was 45% contained, Angeles National Forest officials said.

Firefighters were bracing for another potentially challenging day as a red flag warning for dangerous fire weather will be in effect until 6 p.m. for all areas in Los Angeles County except the western San Gabriel Mountains, which will be under a red flag warning until 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, according to the National Weather Service.

Utility workers repair power poles damaged by the Eaton Fire on W Altadena Dr and Marengo Ave in Altadena on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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Utility workers repair power poles damaged by the Eaton Fire on W Altadena Dr and Marengo Ave in Altadena on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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“Today’s efforts are focused on mop-up and reinforcing containment lines to ensure perimeter control,” Angeles National Forest officials said. “The fire is expected to remain in its current footprint, with aircraft continuing to support firefighters with retardant drops in inaccessible terrain.”

Fire crews caught a break on Tuesday as the winds were not as strong as predicted.

Containment continued to inch upward for the Palisades fire as well, as firefighters have achieved 19% containment as of Wednesday morning. That fire’s footprint hadn’t grow, either, still holding at 23,713 acres, according to Cal Fire.

“Today, the Santa Ana winds are expected to diminish but humidity will remain at low levels,” Cal Fire said Wednesday morning.

The death toll the fires on Tuesday reached 25 people, as remains were found within the Palisades burn area, according to the Medical Examiner’s office. Remains were also found in Altadena on Tuesday, but it was later determined they were not human.

Damage-assessment teams were combing both of the blaze’s destructive paths. Combined, the fires have damaged or destroyed an estimated 12,000-plus structures, officials have said.

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Officials have not said what caused either fire, although lawyers and victims are blaming Southern California Edison for the Eaton fire, while some suspect a previous, small fire might have ignited the Palisades blaze.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.