Overview
- Attorney General Rob Bonta said the DOJ’s Civil Rights Enforcement Section is leading the investigation into possible discrimination based on race, age, or disability, and the department will not provide interim updates.
- Officials noted evidence that evacuation alerts reached West Altadena hours after messages sent to other parts of Altadena, and investigators will examine what caused the delay.
- The Eaton Fire burned about 14,021 acres, destroyed more than 9,000 structures, and killed at least 19 people, with the average victim age reported as 77.
- Prior reporting found West Altadena received fewer firefighting resources than eastern neighborhoods even as the fire shifted west, and most deaths occurred on the west side.
- Community advocates, including Altadena for Accountability, pressed for the probe and hailed the DOJ’s subpoena power as key for accountability, while county and state reviews continue in parallel.