California
California fires updates: Sunday, Feb. 9
SUGGESTED COVERAGE: Lawyers blame Eaton Fire on SoCal Edison
Lawyers with LA Fire Justice say the Eaton Fire, which destroyed thousands of homes in Altadena and Pasadena, was “preventable,” blaming the fire on Southern California Edison’s equipment.
LOS ANGELES – It’s officially been more than one month since the start of the deadly Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles County. More than two dozen people have been killed, nearly 40,000 acres have burned and thousands of homes have been destroyed.
While the Eaton, Hughes, Palisades are fully contained, thousands continue the long road to recovery.
Follow FOX 11’s live blog with the latest updates provided on the Jan. 2025 fires in SoCal:
Predicted rain totals
7:55 p.m.: Most of the rain is expected Thursday and Thursday night, according to the NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center.
Incoming storm
4:45 p.m.: The National Weather Service is forecasting the next storm system to bring widespread rainfall Tuesday night through Friday.
“Potential for significant rain amounts and higher elevation snow during this event, with the heaviest rain likely to occur Thu-Thu night,” the agency said.
PCH to remain closed
3:50 p.m.: According to Caltrans, PCH will remain closed in both directions between Chautauqua Blvd. and Carbon Beach Terrace until further notice as a safety precaution and for crews still working to remove debris in the areas affected by the Palisades Fire.
More rain headed to SoCal
3 p.m.: The National Weather Service cited “growing potential for a strong storm Wednesday through Thursday of next week,” with lingering showers possible on Friday.
Forecasters said the lack of rainfall leading up to the storm may lead to less severe impacts, mainly away from burn scars. “There is at least a moderate risk for widespread heavy rain, significant flooding, debris flows, high elevation mountain snow, and strong winds,” the NWS added.
Protests continue
2:03 p.m.: Malibu-area citizens held a protest against the EPA’s plans to use a Will Rogers State Beach parking lot as a staging area for storage and processing of hazardous materials from the Palisades Fire.
SUGGESTED COVERAGE: Will Rogers State Beach to be used as EPA toxic processing site
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is working to remove household hazardous wastes from properties destroyed or damaged in the recent wildfires, announced Wednesday it will use a Will Rogers State Beach parking lot as a staging area for storage and processing of such materials from the Palisades Fire.
FEMA recovery center amended hours
1:10 p.m.: Two FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers for residents impacted by the LA County wildfires will start operating with new hours Monday, officials said.
The center at UCLA Research Park West at 10850 W. Pico Blvd. and the Altadena Disaster Recovery Center at 540 W. Woodbury Road will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, according to the Joint Information Center.
Duarte residents fight back
12:05 p.m.: Duarte residents continue to express opposition to the location of a new processing site for debris from the deadly Eaton Fire.
Residents protest toxic waste in Duarte
Tensions continue to rise in Duarte as residents protest the EPA’s use of Lario Park as a collection site for debris from the Eaton Fire.
The Eaton Fire
The Eaton Fire was first reported on Tuesday, Jan. 7 near Altadena and Midwick drives.
Some residents did not survive the flames and at least 7,000 structures were destroyed.
Authorities have implemented a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for all areas that remain under mandatory evacuation orders in the Altadena area. This comes after more than 30 looting arrests were made by the LA County Sheriff’s Department.
What caused the Eaton Fire?
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but they were fueled by extreme drought conditions, combined with the supersized Santa Ana winds that whipped flames and embers at 100 mph – much faster than usual.
Several lawsuits have been filed alleging that Southern California Edison’s equipment was to blame. Videos in these lawsuits allegedly show fire sparking near SCE equipment. One of the lawsuits alleges that SCE failed to comply with essential electrical and fire safety standards, including failing to maintain power lines and overgrown vegetation.
SoCal Edison has said it’s still too early decisively say what caused the Eaton Fire.
The Palisades Fire
The Palisades Fire broke out on the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 7 as parts of Southern California were hit by powerful Santa Ana winds – the strongest to hit the area in over a decade, officials said. The piercing winds not only intensified the spread of the fire, it also prevented helicopters and planes from dumping water or fire retardant onto the burning scene as it was too dangerous to fly during the first day of the massive fire.
The fire extended well over 23,000 acres in seven days, destroying homes and businesses across the Pacific Palisades and Malibu. The fire also forced evacuations across parts of LA County, including Bel-Air, Brentwood and Santa Monica.
The fire also destroyed the Pacific Palisades Charter High School and other schools in the fire’s path.
What caused the Palisades Fire?
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, a popular hiking destination, Skull Rock – an area north of Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades – is at the center of an investigation “as a possible starting point for the Palisades fire.”
Meanwhile, local authorities have announced multiple rounds of arrests taking place from the Palisades Fire scenes, but none of which are explicitly related to the cause of the fire. Over the weekend, there was an announcement of a man arrested for impersonating a firefighter. The alleged “fake firefighter” was accused of trying to break into one of the evacuated homes.
Other people have also been accused of arson across Southern California.
California
California lawmakers seek $32M to combat invasive pest found on grapevines sold at Costco
FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (FOX26) — California lawmakers are now asking the federal government for more than $32 million in emergency funding to stop the spread of an invasive insect that was recently discovered on grapevines sold at Costco stores across the state.
The request comes about a month after Fresno County agricultural officials discovered grapevine plants infested with the glassy-winged sharpshooter, a pest capable of spreading Pierce’s Disease, a deadly infection that can kill grapevines.
In a letter sent to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Sens. Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla joined Reps. Mike Thompson, David Valadao and other members of California’s congressional delegation in requesting $32.2 million in emergency funding to contain and eradicate the pest.
[RELATED] Fresno County grapevine plants shipped to Costco were infested with bugs
Lawmakers say the infected nursery stock was identified Mat 19 by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office.
The plants had been distributed to Costco stores in more than two dozen California counties before being sold to customers.
Officials believe some of the infested plants have since been transported to homes in at least 38 counties across the state.
The movement of infested nursery stock into and near key grape-producing regions, including areas critical to California’s winegrape and fresh table grape production, significantly elevates the urgency of this response.
The glassy-winged sharpshooter feeds on grapevines and spreads Pierce’s Disease, an incurable bacterial infection that can destroy vineyards by preventing vines from transporting water.
Lawmakers warned that the pest poses a serious threat to California’s wine and table grape industries.
According to the Wine Institute, California’s wine industry supports 1.1 million jobs nationwide and generates an economic impact of more than $170 billion.
California also produces 99% of the nation’s table grapes, with an annual crop value estimated at $2.59 billion.
If the pest spreads unchecked, the California Department of Food and Agriculture estimates losses associated with Pierce’s Disease and the glassy-winged sharpshooter could exceed $104 million annually.
The requested funding would support emergency response efforts, including tracing the movement of infested plants, surveying affected areas and expanding trapping programs.
Additional funding would also be used for long-term monitoring and eradication efforts over the next several years.
The lawmakers are asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to immediately release the funding through the Commodity Credit Corporation, arguing that the outbreak meets the federal definition of an agricultural emergency.
Growers have already contributed more than $62 million toward research and mitigation efforts over the past 25 years through industry assessments, according to the letter.
Federal officials have not yet announced whether the funding request will be approved.
California
California Now Offers Free Passes to State Historic Parks (Just Don’t Miss the Deadline) | KQED
An annual pass that’s usually $50 is free in honor of Juneteenth — and to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Historical buildings are visible at Sonoma State Historic Park, Sonoma, California, May 31, 2026. Until July 6, Californians can download the state historic park pass for free and use it as many times as they want through the end of 2026. (Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images)
“California doesn’t hide from hard truths and uncomfortable history – in fact, we embrace it and learn from it,” Newsom wrote.
Until July 6, Californians can download the state historic park pass for free and use it as many times as they want through the end of 2026. The pass gives free entry to state historic parks for up to four people.
Jump to:
The Historian Passport grants entry to more than 30 state historic parks, including parks like Olompali and Malakoff Diggins which, rather than just providing outdoor recreation, also have an educational emphasis on the state’s history.
Many of these parks tell the story of the state’s cultural or indigenous history, from missions and museums to temples and the site that sparked the California Gold Rush.
Newsom made a similar move to make state parks free for Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year, in response to Trump’s decision to eliminate the holiday from the list of fee-free days at national parks across the country, replacing it with his birthday on Flag Day.
How to get your free Historian Passport for up to four people
You must make an account with the state’s reservation site ReserveCalifornia.com to obtain a Historian Pass. Then, visit the site’s Advance Passes page and select “Special Edition Historian Passport” from the dropdown menu, which will show as costing $0. No payment information is required.
After checking out, you’ll receive an email with an attached PDF version of your Historian Passport.
The state recommends you print off this PDF to present at any California state historic park for free entry, although you may just be able to show the image on your phone too.
Bear in mind that cellphone service may be poor at many state historic parks, so it’s worth screenshotting the PDF to save it as an image on your phone in case you’re unable to search your email.
Looking for free entry to other state parks that aren’t included in the Historian Passport? Consider checking out a parks pass from your local library, which provides these passes as part of the California State Library Parks Pass program.
Northern California State Historic Parks to visit for free this year with a Historian Passport
Bay Area
Sacramento area
Sierra foothills
KQED’s Carly Severn contributed to this report.
A 33-year-old Northern California man was sentenced to three years in prison after he was found passed out drunk behind the wheel in the drive-thru of an In-N-Out Burger, marking his seventh arrest and conviction for driving under the influence.
According to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, California Highway Patrol officers were alerted to the June 2025 situation by a store employee.
Responding officers approached the vehicle and reported smelling urine and vomit, along with the odor of alcohol inside the car, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Officers arrested the man, identified as Carlos Alvarez of Salinas, on suspicion of felony DUI.
This was his fourth DUI conviction in the past 10 years, The Times reported.
It was not immediately clear what sentences were imposed in Alvarez’s prior DUI convictions or whether he has previously served jail time for any of the other felony convictions.
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