Firefighters Gain Ground on Palisades, Eaton Fires as Winds Subside

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Firefighters made significant progress in containing the Palisades and Eaton fires Thursday, as destructive winds that fueled the blazes began to subside. The fires, which have displaced thousands of Los Angeles County residents and burned over 37,800 acres combined, saw containment levels rise overnight.

The Eaton fire, which has scorched 14,100 acres in Pasadena and Altadena, reached 55% containment Thursday morning, up from 45% the previous day. Meanwhile, the Palisades fire, which has consumed 23,700 acres, saw containment grow to 27% from 17%.

“We are optimistic about how things are trending,” said UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk, as the university announced plans to resume in-person classes Tuesday. The campus, located near the fire zones, had been under an evacuation warning that was lifted Wednesday evening.

California Sen. Alex Padilla introduced a legislative package Thursday aimed at increasing firefighter pay and creating affordable housing for disaster response. “Just like the firefighters on the lines right now, putting out the fires, we have to work together in our response and our recovery,” Padilla said in an interview.

Health concerns persist as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department warned deputies in Altadena about toxic air containing lead, asbestos, and other harmful particulates. Deputies were advised to decontaminate their uniforms before returning home.

The Pasadena Unified School District announced a phased reopening plan for schools affected by the Eaton fire, with some campuses set to reopen Jan. 23. Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco said the district is working to bring all students back to in-person learning by the end of January.

As recovery efforts continue, state lawmakers pledged to fast-track aid for fire-ravaged communities. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas called the fires “a catastrophe at an unprecedented scale in California’s history,” with thousands of homes destroyed and over 100,000 people displaced.

The death toll from the fires climbed to 27 Thursday, with Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna warning that the number could rise further. Search teams are still combing through burn areas for missing persons, with 31 active missing persons reports across the two fires.

Residents in some areas evacuated due to the Palisades fire were allowed to return home Thursday afternoon, though access remains restricted to those with valid identification. “It’s good to be back knowing police officers protected our neighborhood,” said Nelly Zahari, a returning resident.

As the region braces for potential mudslides and debris flows in fire-scarred areas, officials urged residents to remain vigilant. “No matter where you live in L.A. County, if you have slopes behind your homes or you’re located on top of a slope, these slopes have become fragile,” said Mark Pestrella, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.