California Wildfire Analysis

How the Eaton Fire Spread Through Los Angeles County

A data-driven look at the progression of one of the most destructive wildfires in Southern California history, from ignition to containment.

Data Analysis |
14,021 Acres Burned
95% Containment
9,418 Structures Destroyed
17 Fatalities

The Eaton Fire ignited on January 7, 2025, near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in the Altadena/Pasadena area of Los Angeles County. Fueled by extreme Santa Ana winds and dry conditions, the fire rapidly expanded from just 10 acres to over 14,000 acres within days, destroying thousands of homes and forcing mass evacuations across affected communities.

Fire Growth and Containment

The fire's explosive growth in the first 48 hours overwhelmed initial response efforts. Containment began slowly on January 11 and steadily increased over the following two weeks.

Fire Size and Containment Progress Over Time
Data from CAL FIRE incident reports. Containment percentage shown on right axis.

Structural Impact

The Eaton Fire destroyed 9,418 structures and damaged another 1,073, making it one of the most destructive fires in California history. Most damage occurred during the initial spread between January 7-9.

Cumulative Structure Damage Assessment
Destroyed
Damaged
Threatened
Structure assessments were updated continuously as damage inspection teams completed surveys.

Human Cost

The fire resulted in 17 civilian fatalities and 9 injuries, with additional firefighter injuries reported throughout the incident. The human toll underscores the deadly nature of fast-moving urban-interface fires.

Reported Casualties Over Time
Fatalities
Total Injuries
Casualty counts may change as investigations continue. Includes both civilian and firefighter injuries.

Daily Containment Progress

After reaching maximum size on January 11, firefighters made steady progress in establishing containment lines. The fire reached 95% containment by January 22.

Containment Percentage by Date
Containment represents the percentage of the fire's perimeter secured by control lines.

Timeline of Events

A chronological account of the Eaton Fire's progression from ignition through containment, marking key milestones in the firefighting effort.

January 7, 2025 — Evening
Fire Ignites
Fire starts near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in the Altadena/Pasadena area.
10 acres 0% contained
January 7 — Late Evening
Rapid Expansion
Fire grows to 400 acres as Santa Ana winds drive rapid spread. Unified command established with LA County Fire, Pasadena Fire, and US Forest Service.
400 acres Evacuations begin
January 8, 2025
Fire Explodes Overnight
Fire grows to 1,000 acres by morning. Unsafe drinking water notices issued for Pasadena and Foothill areas as debris impacts water systems.
1,000 acres Multiple evacuation zones
January 9, 2025
Catastrophic Spread
Fire reaches 10,600 acres with mass evacuations across Altadena and Pasadena. First structure assessments show approximately 1,000 homes destroyed. First fatalities confirmed.
10,600 acres ~1,000 structures destroyed 2 fatalities
January 10, 2025
Near Maximum Size
Fire grows to 13,690 acres. Damage assessments show at least 4,000 structures destroyed and 35,000 threatened.
13,690 acres 4,000+ structures destroyed 5 fatalities
January 11, 2025
Fire Reaches Peak Size
Fire reaches maximum extent of 14,021 acres. First containment achieved at 10%. At least 5,000 structures confirmed destroyed.
14,021 acres 10% contained 5,000+ structures destroyed
January 12-13, 2025
Containment Progress Begins
Containment increases from 15% to 27%. Damage assessments show 7,000 structures destroyed. Structures threatened decreases to 14,175.
27% contained 7,000 structures destroyed
January 15, 2025
Nearly Halfway Contained
Containment reaches 45%. Updated damage assessments confirm 9,000 structures destroyed and 1,000 damaged. Death toll rises to 16.
45% contained 9,000 structures destroyed 16 fatalities
January 16-17, 2025
Over Halfway Contained
Containment increases from 50% to 65%. Final structure counts updated: 9,418 destroyed, 1,071 damaged. Threatened structures decrease to 8,992.
65% contained 9,418 structures destroyed
January 18-19, 2025
Approaching Full Containment
Containment reaches 81% as firefighters secure perimeter lines. Structure assessments finalized.
81% contained
January 20-21, 2025
Nearing 90% Containment
Containment increases to 89%. Final death toll reaches 17. Structures threatened decrease to 6,775.
89% contained 17 fatalities (final)
January 22-23, 2025
95% Containment Achieved
Fire reaches 95% containment. CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 3 assumes unified command. Damage inspection teams complete 100% of structure surveys. Only 55 structures remain threatened.
95% contained 100% inspections complete
January 27, 2025
Command Transition
CAL FIRE transitions command back to LA County Fire. Cal OES begins overseeing recovery effort. Disaster Recovery Centers open in Altadena and Pasadena. Fire remains at 95% containment with cause still under investigation.
95% contained Recovery phase begins

About This Data

All data sourced from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) incident reports and updates. The fire began on January 7, 2025, and was declared 95% contained as of January 27, 2025. The cause remains under investigation. Updates were issued multiple times daily during active fire spread, then less frequently as containment increased. Structure damage assessments were continuously refined as inspection teams completed surveys of the fire footprint.