LA County Agencies Review Eaton Fire After-Action Report

Draft edits raise questions about transparency of review process

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Los Angeles County agencies were given an opportunity to review and provide feedback on an independent after-action report examining alerts and evacuations during the catastrophic January wildfires that destroyed parts of Altadena. However, the county has declined to release draft versions of the report, citing legal concerns over attorney-client and work product privileges.

Why it matters

The report is expected to provide a comprehensive picture of the county's response to the wildfires and offer recommendations to guide future emergency responses. Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of community notifications and evacuation orders during the fires, which killed 31 people and destroyed thousands of properties.

The details

The county paid $1.9 million to the McChrystal Group consulting firm to produce the after-action report. County Counsel said it is standard practice to allow stakeholders to review a draft report to ensure accuracy and inform realistic recommendations. However, the county has declined to release the draft versions, citing legal protections. In contrast, the city of Los Angeles has released drafts of its own after-action report on the Palisades Fire.

  • The Eaton Fire occurred in January 2026.
  • The county contracted with McChrystal Group following the fires.
  • The county paid $1.9 million for the firm to produce the after-action report.

The players

McChrystal Group

A consulting firm led by retired four-star Gen. Stanley McChrystal, which was retained by Los Angeles County to produce the after-action report on the wildfires.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger

The supervisor representing the Fifth Supervisorial District, which includes Altadena, stated that obtaining the truth to prevent future tragedies is the priority.

Los Angeles County Fire Department

The department has already implemented some recommendations from the after-action report.

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What they’re saying

“This process is to ensure that findings are accurate and complete, and that the recommendations are realistic and informed by the stakeholders who must implement them. Once this process is complete and the consultant has determined that its findings are accurate, the report is finalized.”

— Los Angeles County Counsel (presstelegram.com)

“Obtaining the truth to prevent future tragedies is why our Board invested nearly $2 million to have a specialized, independent third party — the McChrystal Group — conduct this review with the highest level of integrity. While internal legal protections are necessary to encourage the brutal honesty required from stakeholders, I expect the McChrystal Group's professional standards to have delivered validated findings that are helping us build a safer County.”

— Kathryn Barger, Los Angeles County Supervisor (presstelegram.com)

What’s next

The final version of the McChrystal Group's after-action report is expected to be released to the public once the review and feedback process is complete.

The takeaway

The county's decision to withhold draft versions of the after-action report has raised questions about transparency, even as officials state the review process is intended to ensure accuracy and informed recommendations. The final report will be closely watched for its findings and proposals to improve emergency response and communication in the future.