For many residents in west Altadena, the January firestorm felt like a double blow. Not only did the fire devastate their community, but evacuation alerts came far too late, forcing hundreds to flee under dangerous conditions. Many believe this delay contributed to the tragic loss of 17 lives in their area.
The Los Angeles Times revealed in January that evacuation orders for west Altadena were issued hours after the fire had already arrived. This news sparked outrage against county officials responsible for the alerts and led to an ongoing independent investigation into the failures of the evacuation process.
Despite the community’s anger, no lawsuits have been filed against the county regarding the evacuation delays. Some residents considered legal action but ultimately decided against it as the deadline approached. Many were advised by attorneys that pursuing a lawsuit could jeopardize their claims against Southern California Edison, which has been accused of starting the fire. Residents have already sued the utility, seeking damages that could range from $24 billion to $45 billion.
Others felt overwhelmed by the idea of a legal battle. Heather Morrow, a resident whose home burned down, initially planned to file a claim against the county. However, she chose to focus her energy on rebuilding her life and organizing an art show to honor the community’s resilience. “I just decided I’d switch my energy more to a positive thing,” Morrow said.
Residents are left feeling uncertain about their future. They want transparency and assurance that mistakes will not be repeated. Some fear they will never know what went wrong without legal pressure on the county. Morrow expressed concern that the truth might remain hidden, saying, “If the truth doesn’t come out, there’s no lesson to be learned.”
County officials have not provided answers about the delayed evacuation alerts, citing the ongoing investigation by the McChrystal Group, a disaster management firm. While they acknowledge that residents deserve answers, they have no timeline for when those answers will come. The last report from the firm offered little more than an update on the investigation’s status.
Evacuation orders were not issued for residents west of North Lake Avenue until around 3:30 a.m. on January 8, nearly nine hours after the fire started. In contrast, neighborhoods to the east received their alerts much earlier. This disparity raised concerns, especially since west Altadena is known for its diverse population and as a historically significant area for Black homeownership.
Many residents felt that a lawsuit against the county was warranted due to the lack of timely alerts and the absence of emergency personnel during the evacuation. However, legal experts warn that suing a government entity is much more difficult than suing a private company. California law provides significant immunity to government bodies regarding their fire protection and evacuation efforts.
Mark Douglas, a resident who lost his home, believes that the focus should be on holding officials accountable rather than pursuing legal action. He has started a social media campaign to raise awareness about the county’s failures. “There was no coordinated effort to warn people,” he said, emphasizing the need for better communication in emergencies.
While some residents have chosen to focus on healing and community rebuilding, the question of accountability remains. Morrow is channeling her energy into her photography exhibit, which aims to capture the human stories behind the tragedy. She hopes to foster a sense of community and resilience amid the devastation.
As the investigation continues, many Altadena residents are left waiting for answers, hoping for change and accountability from their local government.