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LA County orders safe fire debris removalFind out how this order impacts cleanup efforts and what you need to do next.
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Press Coverage
Hours before the Eaton fire, distribution lines failed and fire started in Altadena
For months, amongst each other and in groups online, Altadena residents have wondered whether something else might have started fires earlier in their neighborhood. An NPR investigation now reveals that transmission lines were not the only kinds of electrical equipment that caused problems on Jan. 7.
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SCE stalls Eaton fire settlement talks while promoting its own compensation program
Southern California Edison has indicated in court it is not yet willing to begin talks to settle dozens of lawsuits in the monstrous Eaton fire — a move that some say is designed to pressure victims to participate in the utility’s own compensation plan.
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Pasadena Council to End Public Health Emergency Declared After Eaton Fire
The Pasadena City Council on Monday will consider adopting a resolution to officially terminate the Local Public Health Emergency declared in January following the Eaton Fire and severe windstorm conditions that struck the city earlier this year.
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Altadena man shares unimaginable loss of disabled father, brother in Eaton Fire
Jordan Mitchell, grieving the unimaginable loss of his disabled father and brother in the Eaton Fire, questions delayed emergency response and utility company accountability. A GoFundMe supports his rebuilding efforts amid the ongoing legal battles.
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Edison accused of hiding data in federal complaint over 2017 fire
Southern California Edison is accused of causing the 2017 Creek Fire, which destroyed 70 homes, and of withholding key data. A federal lawsuit seeks $40M in damages. Investigators found Edison’s power lines sparked the fire, but the utility denies responsibility.
Read morePainstaking, time-consuming search for cause of huge blazes could take years to complete
The Palisades and Eaton fires killed 28, left 22 missing, and destroyed 17,000 structures. Investigators are analyzing burn patterns, witness reports, and power line data, including possible Edison faults. Damage may reach $385M as experts stress the lengthy probe ahead.
Read moreFlashes Then Flames: New Video of Eaton Fire Raises More Questions for Power Company
Investigators are still trying to determine what started a fire that raged through Altadena, Calif. A new video appears to show sparking on a power line near the origin of the blaze.
Read moreWhat caused the Eaton Fire? Here’s how new video fits into theories
On the night the deadly Eaton Fire broke out in Los Angeles County, a gas station video camera captured what appeared to be sparks on a steep flank of Mount Wilson on Altadena’s outskirts and then flames spreading across the hillside.
Read morePolicy Watch
KJT Law Group is also tracking key policy developments – including state and federal legislation impacting wildfire survivors.
Recent Legislative Actions:
AB 239: State-led Disaster Housing Task Force(Assemblymember Harabedian)
Status: On Governor’s desk
Bill creates a centralized task force to cut through bureaucratic delays and ensures that resources are delivered swiftly to those who need them most
Assemblymember Harabedian Launches Audit on Los Angeles Wildfire Prevention and Response
SB 610: Disaster Protections for Homeowners and Renters
(Senator Pérez)
Status: On Governor’s desk
Bill stablishes key protections for tenants and homeowners following a disaster. For tenants, it creates a presumption that the presence of debris from a disaster renders a unit uninhabitable; clarifies that landlords are responsible for repairing damage to the unit after a disaster, including smoke and ash damage; and clarifies tenants are not obligated to pay rent during a mandatory evacuation order. For homeowners, it requires the state to coordinate with mortgage lenders upon an emergency declaration for a wildfire to facilitate mortgage forbearance for those financially impacted.
Attorney Tro Krikorian speaks to US Armenia News
Armenian language interview.