State Investigates Delayed Eaton Fire Evacuation Warnings in West Altadena

Attorney General probes potential discrimination in emergency response to deadly blaze

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The California Attorney General has launched an investigation into whether discrimination based on race, age, or disability played a role in the delayed evacuation warnings sent to the historically Black community of West Altadena during the deadly Eaton Fire. All but one of the 19 people killed in the fire lived in West Altadena, and the average age of the victims was 77 years old.

Why it matters

This investigation aims to determine if unlawful discrimination impacted the emergency response and led to disproportionate harm in the West Altadena community, raising serious questions about equitable disaster preparedness and response protocols.

The details

According to Attorney General Ron Bonta, residents of West Altadena received evacuation warnings "many hours after" warnings were sent to the rest of Altadena. The investigation will seek to uncover whether race, age, or disability were factors in the delayed warnings and evacuation of the historically Black neighborhood.

  • The Eaton Fire occurred in February 2026.
  • The state Attorney General announced the investigation on February 12, 2026.

The players

Ron Bonta

The California Attorney General leading the investigation into the Eaton Fire emergency response.

West Altadena

A historically Black community in Altadena, California that suffered disproportionate impacts from the Eaton Fire.

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What they’re saying

“The investigation we've launched is driven by one over-arching question — did the Los Angeles County Fire Department's delay in notifying and evacuating the historically Black West Altadena community during the Eaton Fire violate state anti-discrimination and disability rights laws?”

— Ron Bonta, California Attorney General (Patch.com)

What’s next

The Attorney General's investigation will seek to determine if unlawful discrimination played a role in the delayed evacuation warnings sent to the West Altadena community during the Eaton Fire.

The takeaway

This investigation highlights the critical need for emergency preparedness and response protocols that prioritize equity and ensure vulnerable communities receive timely and effective support during disasters, regardless of their race, age, or disability status.