Evacuations failed and 85 people died during California’s deadliest wildfire. What are lessons for L.A.?
1 month ago

Evacuations failed and 85 people died during California’s deadliest wildfire. What are lessons for L.A.?

LA Times  

Sheriff’s officials yell to drivers to evacuate the area off Pentz Road during the Camp fire in Paradise, Calif., on Nov. 8, 2018. “The ideal would be to alert them well before embers actually start falling,” he said, “because once that happens, you know you’re already behind the eight ball.” Honea isn’t the only local California official who has been slow to alert residents with mass wireless alerts. “‘Mass panic’ very rarely occurs as the result of a warning message.” When weighing how soon to alert an area, Honea said, he looks at population density, road infrastructure and topography. After the Camp fire, Honea created a separate alert and warning team: 25 people — search and rescue team volunteers and non-sworn civilian staff members — are trained to push out alerts. “I think that’s clearly what transpired in the Palisades and Eaton fire situation.” In an age when most people are glued to their phones, wireless cellphone alerts can be a vital way to spread news quickly, Honea said.

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History of this topic

California wildfires are burning deeper into urban areas like Altadena and finding new victims
1 month ago

California wildfires are burning deeper into urban areas like Altadena and finding new victims

LA Times  

As California struggles to defend itself against increasingly destructive urban wildfires, recent fire deaths in Altadena highlight what researchers say is a growing trend in victim demographics. A 2023 study of California wildfires conducted by U.S. Forest Service researchers found that “new fire regimes are increasingly affecting more urban census tracts statewide, meaning greater numbers and more diverse groups of …

Los Angeles issues evacuation warnings amid flood risks after wildfires
1 month, 1 week ago

Los Angeles issues evacuation warnings amid flood risks after wildfires

India Today  

A Los Angeles Fire Department vehicle was swept into the ocean from Malibu on Thursday amidst heavy rainfall. Los Angeles Fire Department Public Information Officer Erik Scott posted an update on X regarding the incident. Palisades Fire Area: Getty Villa area, Highlands near the burned areas, Bienveneda area near Temescal Canyon Park, Reseda Blvd area/Marinette Road near Will Rogers State …

After millions got false fire warnings, L.A. County’s emergency alert system faces scrutiny
1 month, 3 weeks ago

After millions got false fire warnings, L.A. County’s emergency alert system faces scrutiny

LA Times  

Vehicles abandoned along Sunset Boulevard as residents tried to evacuate in Pacific Palisades on Jan. 11, 2025. Erroneous L.A. County fire alerts spark House investigation If you live in Los Angeles County, there’s a good chance your phone blared and buzzed just before 4 p.m. on Jan. 9, informing you that an “EVACUATION WARNING has been issued in your area” …

Investigation launched into L.A. County’s faulty emergency alert system
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Investigation launched into L.A. County’s faulty emergency alert system

LA Times  

An emergency alert sent out in error on Jan. 9 urged millions of people in Los Angeles County to evacuate. Local members of Congress launched an investigation Monday into Los Angeles County’s emergency alert system after delayed electronic warnings were blamed for the loss of life during the Eaton fire and faulty wireless alerts sent to millions of residents who …

Flawed emergency alert systems lagged when residents needed them most during Los Angeles wildfires
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Flawed emergency alert systems lagged when residents needed them most during Los Angeles wildfires

Hindustan Times  

LOS ANGELES — When disaster strikes, government emergency alert systems offer a simple promise: Residents will get information about nearby dangers and instructions to help them stay safe. Flawed emergency alert systems lagged when residents needed them most during Los Angeles wildfires As the deadly LA wildfires and other major emergencies have shown, alerts rely on a complicated chain of …

Too little, too late: Residents say they were in the dark as fire spread with no evacuation order
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Too little, too late: Residents say they were in the dark as fire spread with no evacuation order

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — When disaster strikes, government emergency alert systems offer a simple promise: Residents will get information about nearby dangers and instructions to help them stay safe. On Tuesday, Los Angeles County officials approved an outside review of how alerts functioned in the Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire in response to residents’ demands. The hours between midnight and 3:30 …

L.A. County’s evacuation alert system broke down during fires. It’s part of a larger problem
2 months ago

L.A. County’s evacuation alert system broke down during fires. It’s part of a larger problem

LA Times  

This emergency evacuation alert was sent Jan. 9 to a wide area of Los Angeles, including people not close to wildfire zones. “There’s no question that for some people having gotten that notification earlier would have saved a lot of grief, would have saved lives,” said Ron Galperin, a former Los Angeles city controller who produced reports on the city’s …

Over 50,000 under evacuation orders, warnings as wildfire imperils homes north of Los Angeles
2 months ago

Over 50,000 under evacuation orders, warnings as wildfire imperils homes north of Los Angeles

The Hindu  

More than 50,000 people were under evacuation orders or warnings Wednesday as a huge and fast-moving wildfire swept through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles, as parched Southern California endured another round of dangerous winds and two major previous blazes continued to smolder. “Certainly, we are not out of the woods yet.” More than 31,000 people have been ordered to …

Los Angeles wildfire updates: Trump threatens to withhold federal aid if California does not...
Trending News
2 months ago

Los Angeles wildfire updates: Trump threatens to withhold federal aid if California does not...

India TV News  

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned that he may withhold several federal disaster aid meant for wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles as he seeks California leaders to change the state's water management approach. Wildfires update: More than 50,000 people under evacuation orders As per the latest updates, over 50,000 people are under evacuation orders or warnings after a huge and fast-moving …

L.A. fires: One thing schools could do to prepare us for the next disaster.
2 months, 1 week ago

L.A. fires: One thing schools could do to prepare us for the next disaster.

Slate  

Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. The ongoing Los Angeles wildfires reveal a pattern that I’ve seen as a disaster technical expert too many times before: Community members, driven by a sense of urgency and compassion, become unprepared first responders. These lessons led directly to …

Fire-Ravaged LA to See Respite But ‘Danger Has Not Yet Passed’
2 months, 1 week ago

Fire-Ravaged LA to See Respite But ‘Danger Has Not Yet Passed’

Live Mint  

-- The dry, dangerous winds that have kept fire-scarred Los Angeles on edge for days are finally forecast to end — but a lack of rain and another round of winds forecast next week already has officials worried. The most severe threat warning covering parts of Ventura and LA counties expired Wednesday afternoon, with other fire warnings for much of …

A ‘dangerously unacceptable breakdown’ led to errant or delayed evacuation warnings in the LA County fires. The rest of the US isn’t immune
2 months, 1 week ago

A ‘dangerously unacceptable breakdown’ led to errant or delayed evacuation warnings in the LA County fires. The rest of the US isn’t immune

CNN  

CNN — If you work in one part of town and live in another, you might not get an evacuation warning if your home is in the path of disaster. “The first technical glitch is that it went out county-wide, instead of to the affected area,” said Bryan La Sota, emergency management coordinator for Los Angeles County’s Office of Emergency …

Watch: Los Angeles County officials give wildfire update as death toll rises
2 months, 1 week ago

Watch: Los Angeles County officials give wildfire update as death toll rises

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Watch again as Los …

Fire-scarred LA area faces new gusts
2 months, 1 week ago

Fire-scarred LA area faces new gusts

China Daily  

Police tape blocks a road during an investigation after a search and rescue team with dogs searched the remains of a home burned by the Palisades Fire, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, US on January 14, 2025. As the fire-ravaged Los Angeles area braced for intense winds on Tuesday, criticism has mounted over the state of …

Fire-scarred LA area faces new gusts
2 months, 1 week ago

Fire-scarred LA area faces new gusts

China Daily  

Police tape blocks a road during an investigation after a search and rescue team with dogs searched the remains of a home burned by the Palisades Fire, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, US on January 14, 2025. As the fire-ravaged Los Angeles area braced for intense winds on Tuesday, criticism has mounted over the state of …

Dire Fire Warning For L.A. Area Pushed Back As Winds Ease
2 months, 1 week ago

Dire Fire Warning For L.A. Area Pushed Back As Winds Ease

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING LOS ANGELES — Easing winds delivered a brief but much-needed reprieve to firefighters Tuesday as they battled two massive blazes burning in the Los Angeles area, and the National Weather Service pushed back its unusually dire warning of critical fire weather until early the following day. “But I would rather be here and not leave than to …

Los Angeles faces monstrous wildfires fueled by high Santa Ana winds, 24 lives lost
2 months, 1 week ago

Los Angeles faces monstrous wildfires fueled by high Santa Ana winds, 24 lives lost

Hindustan Times  

Los Angeles firefighters braced for high winds on Monday expected to fuel two monstrous wildfires that have already leveled entire neighborhoods, killed at least two dozen people, and burned an area the size of Washington, D.C. US officials warned "dangerous and strong" winds were set to push deadly wildfires further through Los Angeles residential areas January 12 as firefighters struggled …

Los Angeles fires: Deaths rise to 24 as more fierce winds are forecast
2 months, 1 week ago

Los Angeles fires: Deaths rise to 24 as more fierce winds are forecast

The Hindu  

After making some progress battling wildfires that destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people in the Los Angeles area, firefighters prepared for a return of dangerous winds that could again stoke the flames. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said 70 additional water trucks arrived to help firefighters fend off flames spread by renewed gusts. …

Wildfires in Los Angeles kill 24, dozens missing as dangerous winds fuel destruction
2 months, 1 week ago

Wildfires in Los Angeles kill 24, dozens missing as dangerous winds fuel destruction

India TV News  

Firefighters continued their battle against wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area on Sunday, with the death toll rising to 24 and over 16 people still missing. The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for severe fire conditions, forecasting sustained winds of 80 km/h and gusts up to 113 km/h, with Tuesday predicted to be the most dangerous day. Los …

Increasing winds bring potential for ‘explosive fire growth’ across L.A. County this week
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Increasing winds bring potential for ‘explosive fire growth’ across L.A. County this week

LA Times  

An aircraft drops retardant on the Palisades fire as the blaze tears through Mandeville Canyon in Brentwood on Saturday. A day after making some progress containing the Eaton fires and protecting Brentwood and Encino from the Palisades fire, firefighters across Los Angeles County were bracing for another round of powerful winds that could threaten new communities and hamper efforts to …

Watch: Los Angeles County officials give wildfire update as fresh evacuation orders given
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Watch: Los Angeles County officials give wildfire update as fresh evacuation orders given

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Watch again as Los …

January 11, 2025 - California wildfires news
55 years, 2 months ago

January 11, 2025 - California wildfires news

CNN  

After millions of Los Angeles County residents received evacuation alerts by mistake, countless Angelenos received more erroneous warnings while the county tries to improve its alert system. “There is a technical glitch, and we apologize for the confusion and anxiety that any of this has for anybody in the public,” said Bryan LaSota, emergency management coordinator for Los Angeles County’s …

After faulty cell alerts during fire emergency, L.A. County overhauls its system
2 months, 2 weeks ago

After faulty cell alerts during fire emergency, L.A. County overhauls its system

LA Times  

Helicopter aerial view of the Santa Monica Pier and the smoke from the Palisades fire on Saturday. Los Angeles County’s top emergency manager said Saturday the county’s overhaul of its emergency notification system is nearly complete after it sent out a succession of faulty emergency alerts urging millions of residents across Los Angeles to prepare to evacuate amid the ongoing …

LA wildfires death toll rises to 16; new evacuation orders as fire spreads
2 months, 2 weeks ago

LA wildfires death toll rises to 16; new evacuation orders as fire spreads

Al Jazeera  

Evacuation orders throughout the Los Angeles area cover 153,000 residents, with 57,000 structures at risk. The death toll in the Los Angeles wildfires has risen to 16 amid new evacuation orders as firefighters race to stop the spread of wildfires before potentially strong winds return. Cal Fire Operations Chief Christian Litz said a main focus on Saturday would be the …

Warning error: 10 million L.A. residents receive wrong evacuation alert, sparking anger and anxiety
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Warning error: 10 million L.A. residents receive wrong evacuation alert, sparking anger and anxiety

Hindustan Times  

Devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have claimed at least 10 lives and forced over 180000 people to evacuate. The situation worsened when a mistaken evacuation alert was sent to nearly 10 million residents, causing confusion and heightened anxiety. Massive wildfires that engulfed whole neighborhoods and displaced thousands in Los Angeles remained totally uncontained January 9, 2025, The alert, issued on …

Los Angeles fires: Millions of residents receive evacuation messages sent in 'error', triggers panic
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Los Angeles fires: Millions of residents receive evacuation messages sent in 'error', triggers panic

Firstpost  

Rebecca Alvarez-Petit, a resident, was on a work call when her phone started flashing a message that read “An EVACUATION WARNING has been issued in your area.” Soon all the phones in the room began blasting with the alert message An apartment building burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on January 08, …

Millions of LA residents 'mistakenly' told to evacuate amid raging wildfires: report
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Millions of LA residents 'mistakenly' told to evacuate amid raging wildfires: report

Raw Story  

Officials in Los Angeles County said a technical error was to blame for the entire county – nearly 10 million residents – accidentally receiving an emergency evacuation alert Thursday night amid raging wind-swept wildfires. "I have been informed the evacuation warning that many of us just received on our phones was mistakenly issued countywide due to a technical error," County …

LA County citizens panic after evacuation order amid wildfire, then a correction
Trending News
2 months, 2 weeks ago

LA County citizens panic after evacuation order amid wildfire, then a correction

India Today  

Residents across Los Angeles County were thrown into chaos Thursday night when an evacuation warning was mistakenly issued countywide as wildfires continued to devastate Southern California. Continue to monitor local weather, news and the webpage alertla.org for more information.” Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn confirmed the error on X, calling it a "technical glitch." “I have been informed that …

Faulty evacuation alerts woke Angelenos in a panic. What’s wrong with L.A.’s emergency system?
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Faulty evacuation alerts woke Angelenos in a panic. What’s wrong with L.A.’s emergency system?

LA Times  

An alert sent out in error Thursday and Friday told millions of Angelenos of an evacuation warning. “Our preliminary investigation indicates that an accurate, correctly-targeted alert went out from LA County’s Emergency Operations Center at around 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 9,” the county said in a statement. A preliminary assessment, the county said, found the glitch was due to …

1,000 structures burned, 2 dead in one of the most destructive firestorms in L.A. County
2 months, 2 weeks ago

1,000 structures burned, 2 dead in one of the most destructive firestorms in L.A. County

LA Times  

More than a thousand homes, businesses and other buildings have burned and at least two people are dead in wildfires scorching communities across Los Angeles County, making this one of the most destructive firestorms to hit the region in memory. Marrone said that while there have been no fatalities in the Palisades fire, officials have seen “a high number of …

Deadly wildfires surge in size in Southern California and force more evacuations
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Deadly wildfires surge in size in Southern California and force more evacuations

NPR  

Deadly wildfires surge in size in Southern California and force more evacuations toggle caption Richard Vogel/AP This is a developing story. Anthony Marrone, LA County fire chief, said there is "a high number of significant injuries to residents who did not evacuate." toggle caption Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images An evacuation order signals the fire poses an "immediate threat to …

3,500 homes under threat as Ventura County fire burns through neighborhoods
4 months, 2 weeks ago

3,500 homes under threat as Ventura County fire burns through neighborhoods

LA Times  

Firefighters were struggling to contain a fast-moving Ventura County wildfire on Thursday that had destroyed numerous homes — and the dangerous winds fueling those flames were forecast to continue through Friday. Santa Ana winds helped propel several fires across the region, but the Mountain fire exploded Wednesday, sweeping into foothill communities around Camarillo and Moorpark. The National Weather Service issued …

Nearly 30,000 people ordered to evacuate as devastating wildfire rages across Northern California
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Nearly 30,000 people ordered to evacuate as devastating wildfire rages across Northern California

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nearly 30,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Northern California as an enormous …

Hawaii wildfire survivors slam warning system failures as officials struggle to ID victims
1 year, 7 months ago

Hawaii wildfire survivors slam warning system failures as officials struggle to ID victims

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Though the National Weather Service warned Hawaii that conditions could create “high fire danger”, it appears little action was …

California seeks lessons from Florida for fire evacuations
5 years, 10 months ago

California seeks lessons from Florida for fire evacuations

Associated Press  

MIAMI — With Hurricane Michael strengthening as it took aim at Florida’s Panhandle, Mark Bowen and his employees watched the live footage through tears. “We couldn’t move our population to act.” It’s a problem Florida officials face before every big storm, though they usually have far more time than their counterparts in California, who need to evacuate residents threatened by …

California’s emergency alert system has been a disaster. A statewide fix is planned
5 years, 11 months ago

California’s emergency alert system has been a disaster. A statewide fix is planned

LA Times  

Embers fly around Brandon Baker, center, and Prescott McKenzie, right, during a 2017 wildfire in Ventura. … It isn’t,” said Art Botterell, who was an emergency services coordinator with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services before retiring last year. “Recent disasters in California have highlighted troubling shortfalls, differences and inconsistencies among various alert and warning programs,” Cal OES Director …

California must fix fatal flaws in wildfire warning and evacuation plans, experts tell lawmakers
6 years, 3 months ago

California must fix fatal flaws in wildfire warning and evacuation plans, experts tell lawmakers

LA Times  

The deadly Camp fire that destroyed the Northern California town of Paradise this month overwhelmed emergency alert and evacuation plans, leaving many residents in harm’s way without sufficient warning, state officials acknowledged Tuesday at a legislative hearing. “We know there are road system issues.” The Camp fire, he said, “outstripped our planning efforts in sheer time.” Assemblyman James Gallagher, who …

Fire deaths rise to 71 ahead of Trump’s California visit
6 years, 4 months ago

Fire deaths rise to 71 ahead of Trump’s California visit

Associated Press  

CHICO, Calif. — With the confirmed death toll at 71 and the list of unaccounted for people more than 1,000, authorities in Northern California on Friday searched for those who perished and those who survived the fiercest of wildfires ahead of a planned visit by President Donald Trump. In an interview taped Friday and scheduled for broadcast on “Fox News …

More than 60 deaths in fires, floods expose weaknesses in California’s emergency planning
7 years ago

More than 60 deaths in fires, floods expose weaknesses in California’s emergency planning

LA Times  

A reckoning on public preparedness long in the making is underway in California after a year that saw unprecedented death, destruction and loss from disasters set off by extreme weather. California emergency managers have released a critical review faulting Sonoma County emergency managers for failing to use all means possible to warn residents in October’s deadly fire siege. “We don’t …

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