California Probes Delayed Evacuation Orders in Deadly LA Wildfire

Attorney General announces civil rights investigation into impact on historically Black community

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a civil rights investigation into how delayed evacuation orders impacted a historically Black community in Altadena that was ravaged by the deadly Eaton Fire in 2025. The investigation will focus on whether unlawful discrimination based on race, disability, or age led to the west side of Altadena receiving evacuation orders hours after the east side, resulting in disproportionate loss of life and property.

Why it matters

The investigation highlights ongoing concerns about the disparate impact of natural disasters on marginalized communities, as well as the need to improve emergency alert systems that have repeatedly failed to reach vulnerable populations during major wildfires and other climate-related crises.

The details

The Eaton Fire was one of two blazes that broke out on January 7, 2025, killing 19 people and destroying over 9,400 structures. All but one of the deaths occurred in west Altadena, which received evacuation orders hours after the east side of town and well after homes were already burning. By midnight, roughly six hours after the fire started, none of the neighborhoods west of Altadena's North Lake Avenue had been issued an evacuation warning.

  • The Eaton Fire broke out on January 7, 2025.
  • By midnight on January 7, 2025, none of the neighborhoods west of Altadena's North Lake Avenue had received evacuation orders.
  • Evacuation orders expanded significantly after 3 a.m. on January 8, 2025.

The players

Rob Bonta

California's Attorney General who announced the civil rights investigation.

Altadena for Accountability

A group of fire survivors that campaigned for an investigation into the county's fire response over the past year.

Gina Clayton-Johnson

A fire survivor who lost her home and her parents' home, and is heartened by the announcement of the investigation.

LA County Fire Department

The department that will be the focus of the investigation's attention, looking at whether existing systems contributed to the delayed evacuation notices and possible disparities in emergency response.

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What’s next

The investigation will focus on the LA County Fire Department and whether existing systems contributed to the delayed evacuation notices and possible disparities in emergency response. Officials are expected to voluntarily comply in sharing information with investigators.

The takeaway

This investigation highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring equitable emergency response, particularly for marginalized communities, and the need to improve alert systems that have repeatedly failed to reach vulnerable populations during major disasters.