Independent probe blames communication lapses for deadly Eaton and Palisades wildfires

An independent investigation ordered by Governor Gavin Newsom has released a 724-page analysis of the Jan. 7, 2025 Eaton and Palisades wildfires, which together killed 31 people and destroyed over 16,000 structures. The report, prepared by the UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute, validates earlier reporting that West Altadena residents received evacuation alerts hours after the fire had reached them, and that the Los Angeles Fire Department ignored multiple signs that the Jan 1 Lachman fire in Pacific Palisades remained smoldering.

It finds the L.A. County Fire Department failed to organize evacuation operations and delayed orders by more than an hour, while the LAFD lacked experience with large-scale fires and did not monitor hot spots as critical fire weather approached. State Parks did not consult fire agencies when drafting its wildfire plan, and communication between the LAFD, LAPD and county agencies was fragmented, forcing incident commanders to relocate repeatedly.

The investigation recommends empowering firefighters to report hazards, improving mop-up protocols, and integrating better satellite intelligence. The findings highlight systemic flaws that exacerbated the disaster’s human and property toll.