Wildfire — Los Angeles County San Gabriel Valley, California

2025-01-07 to 2025-01-31 · Los Angeles County San Gabriel Valley, California

Event narrative

The Eaton Fire burned 14,021 acres across the San Gabriel Valley and the adjacent foothills. he wildfire ignited during an extreme fire weather event with PDS Red Flag Warnings in effect. The combination of wind gusts in excess of 80 MPH and critically dry vegetation allowed the fire to grow explosively. The fire completed destroyed the community of Altadena. Throughout the fire, 9,414 structures were destroyed and another 1,074 structures were damaged, including many residences. Seventeen civilian deaths and nine firefighter injuries were reported.

Wider weather episode

The combination of very strong Santa Ana winds, mountain wave activity and critically dry vegetation resulted in a significant outbreak of wildfires across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The Palisades Fire (23,707 acres) and the Eaton Fire (14,021 acres) combined to become the most significant natural disaster in U.S. history. Two smaller fires, the Hurst Fire (799 acres) and the Kenneth Fire (1,052 acres) also developed during this outbreak, but were not anywhere as damaging.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1230303. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.