Eaton Fire: A rebuilding journey

An early morning house fire claimed the life of a 16-year-old boy and three dogs in the Reseda neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. Firefighters reported to 18424 West Saticoy Street at 2:35 a.m., knocking the fire down in 13 minutes, according to Melissa Kelley of the Los Angeles Fire Department. The blaze was supposedly contained to just one room of the house, but Kelley said there was no information regarding his parents or if they were even home. An investigation is pending, but officials said that there were no smoke detectors in the home.

Smoke from the Station Fire seen last month | Photo by Brad Herman via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr Officials this morning extended the expected full containment of the Station Fire from this Saturday to Tuesday, citing an increase in hotter and drier weather. "We're expecting humidity to go down, temperatures to go up and wit the normal flow of down canyon winds mixed with dry fuel, we decided to push containment back a...

The 13-year-old El Monte boy who allegedly started the Morris Fire was charged today with two felony counts, arson and recklessly causing a fire to a forest or structure, according to KNX1070. He is not in custody, but will be arraigned on November 17th in Pomona Juvenile Court. The Morris Fire began on Tuesday, August 25th in the Angeles National Forest above Azusa and Glendora. It burned through some 2,168 acres and has been...

Smoke hovers above the San Gabriel Mountains | Photo by Curiouser via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr U.S. Forest Service officials announced tonight that the Station Fire is now contained at 93 percent, up two points since this morning. However, the size of the fire remains at 160,557 acres, roughly 250 square miles. Crews are monitoring a couple hot spots, making sure they do not flare up into super conflagrations that could once again...

As officials announced last night, the 250-square mile Station Fire remains at 93 percent contained and in light of predicted fire-friendly weather, they hope they do not lose control of a couple hot spots still being mopped up by crews. "The remaining work is extremely difficult due to steep and rugged terrain," a Forest Service statement read. "In the area of Mt. Wilson, fire activity remains active and smoke may be seen in the area east of Mt. Wilson to Devore as undergrowth burns away and crews work to extinguish hot spots in this very rugged area," the statement continued.

Photo by MargaretNapier via Flickr The owner estimates about $14 million while the Los Angeles Fire Department says $7 million was lost in a Hollywood Hills mansion fire that occurred Wednesday morning. It was initially reported that his art collection included works commission by Napoleon Bonaparte and a Faberge egg--now we find out that a Stradivarius violin was also lost, according to the owner, attorney Brian Witzer. However, his Ferarri collection was spared, despite...

A fire that began around 6:30 a.m. this morning reportedly destroyed a home in the Hollywood Hills. Arson units are currently on scene after the blaze was attacked by firefighters predominately on the attic and first levels of the four-level home at 2047 North Sunset Plaza Drive, according to an LAFD spokesperson on the phone. The owner was on scene and no injuries were reported. Firefighters called a knockdown at 7:10 a.m., stopping the...

Not that normal means no more smog, but the daily Station Fire-related alerts from the Los Angeles County Public Health Department took a turn for the better today. "According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the air quality in Los Angeles County has returned to 'moderate' to 'good' levels, except for in the areas immediately around the still-burning portions of the Station Fire in the San Gabriel Mountains," the agency announced in...

We've seen, smelt and been saddened by the destruction of the deadly Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest. Containment is expected next week and soon after a new phase will be entered into: rebirth. "After we get in there and assess what damages need to be repaired, there will be opportunity for volunteers to help the Forest Service repair some of this stuff," explained Howard Okamoto, the Recreation Officer for the Los Angeles...

Photo: Eye of Brad The Station Fire has burned through 160,557 acres, about 250 square miles, and is 77 percent contained, officials with the Angeles National Forest announced this morning. The blaze, which began on August 26th, has cost about $82 million to fight. Full containment is expected next Tuesday, which means costs will still rise, possibly to $100 million, according to the LA Times. The federal government is expected to pick up most...