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Progress continues to be made on Eaton Fire, but crews now bracing for more Santa Ana winds

Crews are working hard to fight the Eaton Fire and are making substantial progress.

The blaze has damaged or destroyed more than 7,000 structures since it erupted on Tuesday evening near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in the Altadena area, according to preliminary estimates from CalFire.

As of early Sunday morning, the Eaton Fire stood at 27% containment, having scorched 14,117 acres, officials with the Angeles National Forest stated. More than 3,150 personnel have been dispatched to help fight the blaze.

A total of 11 people have died in the fire. The L.A. County Medical Examiner’s Office released the locations of the deaths due to the Eaton Fire, all of which were in Altadena:

  • 3400 block of Monterosa Drive
  • 300 block of Alta Pine Drive
  • 100 block of West Terrace Street (occurred on Jan. 8)
  • 3200 block of Tonia Avenue (two deaths occurred at this location)
  • 100 block of East Las Flores Drive
  • 800 block of East Sacramento Street
  • 100 block of West Terrace Street (occurred on Jan. 10)
  • 3000 block of Krenz Avenue
  • 200 block of Wapello Street
  • 30 block of West Pine Street

The only decedent to be identified thus far is Victor Shaw, 66, who died with a garden hose in his hand while trying to defend his home on Monterosa Drive on Jan. 8.

In the most recent update, CalFire stated that they continued tactical patrols while responding to public calls for service, and that minimal fire growth was observed on Saturday. 

“[On Saturday night], in addition to perimeter control, crews worked to mitigate hazard trees along roadways to provide safety for firefighters and the public,” officials said. “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.” 

  • Andrew McNally House

The progress in the firefight comes as strong Santa Ana winds make their way back into the area, but CalFire says the gustiest winds in the forecast for the beginning of the workweek will be felt the most at higher elevations and ridge tops. 

That said, the risk for increased fire activity remains; the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning that is in effect for L.A. and Ventura counties until Wednesday.

Existing fires – and new fires – may grow rapidly with extreme fire behavior, NWS said. 

An additional five people died in the Palisades Fire, which is burning near L.A.’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood and Malibu and also broke out on Tuesday. As of Sunday morning, it continued to spread north and east towards the San Fernando Valley and Brentwood, threatening homes and forcing evacuations.

That fire, which has burned over 22,000 acres as of publication, will likely be the most expensive natural disaster in Los Angeles history when all is said and done.

Click here for KTLA’s full coverage of the Southern California wildfires.

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