Flags lowered on anniversary of Palisades, Eaton fires

By Dave Mason
The Center Square

California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered flags lowered to half-staff Wednesday for all state buildings on the one-year anniversary of the devastating Los Angeles County wildfires.

Newsom’s proclamation for a day of remembrance noted 31 people died in the Palisades and Eaton fires, which together burned more than 35,000 acres. Both fires started Jan. 7, 2025, and continued throughout that month, burning homes, businesses and schools.

As the governor ordered the flags lowered, Democratic and Republican members of California’s congressional delegation urged President Donald Trump to continue funds for federal disaster relief.

The request for aid was made in a letter dated Wednesday and signed by all of California’s U.S. House representatives and its U.S. senators, Democrats Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff. The effort for more funding was led by the senators and U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert, who chairs the state’s Republican delegation in the House, and U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the Democratic delegation chair, all of whose names appear at the top of the signatories.

“At the one-year anniversary of the devastating Palisades and Eaton Fires in Los Angeles County, we write to highlight the historic response, the ongoing recovery, and to urge continued and additional support,” the members of Congress wrote Trump.

They went on to praise the Trump administration for the Army Corps of Engineers’ quick cleanup of hazardous debris and the billions of dollars in aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“As the recovery process continues, additional federal support is needed, and our entire delegation looks forward to working cooperatively with your administration to ensure the communities of Southern California receive their fair share of federal disaster assistance,” the lawmakers wrote Trump.

The Palisades Fire burned 23,448 acres in the coastal Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, nearby Malibu and rural communities. It left the lush Topanga Canyon looking like a moonscape, and the coastline visible through the frames of homes that once stood along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

The fire killed 12 people and destroyed 6,833 structures, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

In October, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 29-year-old Melbourne, Fla., resident, with starting the Palisades Fire. Rinderknecht was brought to Los Angeles and is awaiting a trial set for April 21. He has pleaded not guilty.

The Eaton Fire burned 14,021 acres in Pasadena and the neighboring unincorporated community of Altadena, Cal Fire reported. It resulted in 17 deaths and the destruction of 9,418 structures.

The Eaton Fire was caused by faulty equipment maintained by Southern California Edison, according to government entities suing the utility company. Those entities vary from the cities of Pasadena and Sierra Madre to the Pasadena Unified School District and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Southern California Edison has been working on a program to reimburse victims of the fire.

The day of remembrance on Wednesday honors the victims, as well as first responders, community leaders and public servants “who ran toward danger and went above and beyond to protect Angelenos,” Newsom said.

“This past decade has seen fires on a scale once unimaginable – driven by hotter temperatures, prolonged drought, and the accelerating realities of a changing climate,” Newsom said. “Humanity cannot defy nature, but we can meet its challenges with resolve and preparation. California must continue to advance our understanding of wildfire behavior, further strengthen prevention efforts, and continue to enhance emergency response.”

The governor on Tuesday announced expanded access for the CalAssist Mortgage Fund eligibility for survivors of the wildfires. He also announced additional commitments from banks to provide extended forbearance for approved borrowers.

Newsom added he’s exploring a new financing program to bridge the gap between insurance payouts and the cost of rebuilding.

“This disaster was unprecedented, and it’s created challenges unlike anything we’ve seen before — demanding flexibility, partnership, and a willingness to adapt in real time,” Newsom said.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Tuesday said full recovery from the Palisades Fire would be a multi-year effort. She said she would use the full force of her mayoral power to restore the Palisades community and “return families to their homes as quickly and safely as possible.”