California Probes LA County's Emergency Response to Deadly Fire

State Attorney General launches civil rights investigation into handling of 2025 Eaton Fire that killed 18 in West Altadena

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced a civil rights investigation into Los Angeles County's emergency response to the 2025 Eaton Fire, which resulted in the deaths of 18 people, mostly from the historically Black community of West Altadena. Bonta's office said the probe will examine whether delays in notifying and evacuating residents violated state anti-discrimination and disability rights laws.

Why it matters

The move comes as the Trump administration has retreated from enforcing environmental justice, making Bonta's investigation a potential new blueprint for state leaders to hold local governments accountable for their emergency response efforts in marginalized communities.

The details

Eighteen of the 19 people who died in the Eaton Fire lived in West Altadena, and residents say the sheriff's department and fire personnel failed to provide enough timely, in-person support for evacuation and other emergency assistance. Bonta's office is investigating whether these failures violated California's civil rights and disability laws.

  • The Eaton Fire occurred in 2025.
  • Bonta announced the civil rights investigation last week.

The players

Rob Bonta

The California Attorney General who announced the civil rights investigation into Los Angeles County's emergency response to the Eaton Fire.

West Altadena

A historically Black community in Los Angeles County where 18 of the 19 people who died in the Eaton Fire lived.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must hold local governments accountable when their emergency response efforts fail vulnerable communities.”

— Rob Bonta, California Attorney General (Bloomberg Law)

What’s next

Bonta's office will continue its civil rights investigation into Los Angeles County's handling of the Eaton Fire emergency response.

The takeaway

This investigation highlights the need for state leaders to step up and protect marginalized communities when the federal government retreats from enforcing environmental justice and civil rights laws.