The Eaton fire that killed five people and destroyed or damaged more than 1,000 homes, businesses and other structures in several foothill communities has slowed, but remained at 10,600 acres and zero containment Thursday morning, Jan. 9.
The fire’s growth has been significantly stopped, Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Anthony Marrone said.
Firefighters were able to use aircraft starting Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Four firefighters are among those injured in the fire. But authorities have not released the number of injured or released details about the five people who died. Information about fatalities will be handled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said 20 people have been arrested on suspicion of looting. It’s not clear if those arrested were caught in areas affected by the Eaton fire or all the fires currently burning in Los Angeles County.
The Eaton fire has destroyed 972 structures and damaged 84 structures, according to the Angeles National Forest.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said 179,738 people in the county were under evacuation orders and close to 200,000 were under evacuation warning. It wasn’t clear if he was speaking solely about the Eaton fire.
A red flag warning remains in effect for the area over the fire until 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10. Winds are expected to shift to the north at 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 45 mph in some areas on Thursday, officials said, adding it will remain dry and windy through Thursday.
Firefighters have not yet determined what started the fire, which began near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in the Eaton Canyon area at 6:18 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7. Authorities earlier said the fire started at 6:12 p.m. with winds as strong as of 70 mph, the fire grew and spread rapidly.
There are no active fires in La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, or in the Montrose area, the Sheriff’s Crescenta Valley Station said in an alert, adding it appeared the fire has not crossed the Arroyo Seco.
La Cañada Unified School District, Pasadena Unified School and Pasadena City College are closed for the rest of the week.
Schools in Arcadia Unified were closed Thursday.
The Angeles National Forest was also closed.
The evacuation center is the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 East Green St. Service animals will be allowed. Pasadena Humane is on-site to accept small pets for boarding.
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