California DOJ to Probe Racial Bias in Deadly Altadena Fire Response

Investigation will examine if discrimination contributed to delayed evacuation warnings in historically Black community.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced a formal investigation by the state Department of Justice into whether racial discrimination played a role in the disastrous emergency response to the deadly Altadena Fire in 2025 that killed 19 people. Bonta cited 'compelling evidence' that the historically Black community of West Altadena received delayed evacuation alerts compared to the rest of the city, and the probe will examine potential civil rights violations and other legal issues.

Why it matters

The investigation could uncover systemic failures and biases that put vulnerable communities at greater risk during natural disasters, raising urgent questions about emergency preparedness and racial equity. The deadly Altadena Fire was one of the worst in California's history, and the probe could have far-reaching implications for how the state responds to future crises.

The details

According to Bonta, the California DOJ will specifically investigate whether race, age, or disability discrimination contributed to the delayed emergency response and evacuation orders in West Altadena, a historically Black neighborhood. A UCLA study found that 61% of Black households were located within the fire's perimeter, compared to 50% of non-Black households, and nearly half of Black households were destroyed or seriously damaged, versus 37% for non-Black homes.

  • The Altadena Fire burned 14,021 acres and destroyed over 9,000 buildings in 2025, becoming one of the deadliest fires in California's history.
  • California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the DOJ investigation on February 13, 2026.

The players

Rob Bonta

The California Attorney General who is launching the DOJ investigation into potential racial discrimination in the emergency response to the deadly Altadena Fire.

West Altadena

A historically Black community in Altadena that Bonta says received delayed evacuation alerts compared to the rest of the city during the 2025 fire.

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What they’re saying

“Today, the California Department of Justice formally announces an investigation into the emergency response during the 2025 Eaton Fire. Specifically, we'll be looking at whether the systems and structures at play contributed to a delay in the County's evacuation notice and possible disparities in emergency response in West Altadena.”

— Rob Bonta, California Attorney General

“The West Altadena community rang the alarm and brought compelling evidence to the attention of my office. We know that evacuation warnings for the historically black neighborhood of West Altadena came many hours after these same warnings were sent to the rest of Altadena.”

— Rob Bonta, California Attorney General

What’s next

The DOJ investigation will focus on potential violations of civil rights laws and other legal issues under the department's purview. Bonta's office did not provide specifics on the 'compelling evidence' that prompted the probe, but said no further updates can be given at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation.

The takeaway

This investigation could uncover systemic failures and racial biases that put vulnerable communities at greater risk during natural disasters, raising urgent questions about emergency preparedness and the need for more equitable disaster response policies in California.