Eaton Fire reaches 89% containment as all areas open for returns

With containment of the Eaton Fire at 89%, Los Angeles County announced that all Altadena communities are now open for residents to return -- while a new wind event was moving into the Southern California that could further challenge firefighters or spark new blazes Tuesday.

In a post on social media, the county Monday afternoon said that, while all residents evacuated from the Altadena area my now return, some areas are still under an evacuation order featuring "soft closures" -- meaning those areas will be open only to residents with valid proof of residence.

Containment of the deadly and destructive blaze climbed to the 89% level Tuesday with firefighters using water-dropping helicopters to extinguish hot spots in steep, inaccessible canyons near Winters Creek, Mt. Lowe and Mt. Wilson, as a new wind event moved into the region.

Meanwhile, another Santa Ana wind event moved into the area, with high winds expected into Tuesday, creating a high risk for critical fire weather conditions and rapid fire spread of any new fires. Isolated gusts could reach 50 to 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Pasadena activated red flag parking restrictions Monday to allow for improved fire department access and resident evacuation on narrow and/or winding roads, city officials said Monday.

The restrictions are effect until at least 6 p.m. Tuesday unless conditions change. The Southland will be under a red flag warning for extreme fire danger through Tuesday night. Forecasters say a "moderate to strong" Santa Ana wind event is expected, with gusts possibly reaching 60 to 80 mph in L.A. and Ventura counties.

Parking will be restricted "on posted narrow and/or winding roads within Pasadena's urban-wildland interface areas," a city statement said. "Vehicles on restricted roads will be cited and towed. Additional information, including the complete list of streets with restricted parking, is available at CityOfPasadena.net/Fire/Red-Flag-Parking-Restrictions."

Officials also urged residents to review their evacuation plans and make sure emergency kits are stocked with needed items should they have to evacuate.

Officials have completed inspections of 98% of the structures in the fire area, and so far 9,416 have been confirmed destroyed, with another 1,064 threatened.

Evacuation orders were lifted for several areas of Altadena this weekend, and on Monday, ahead of the county's afternoon all-clear announcement, evacuation warnings were also lifted for two more areas:

-- south of West Harriet Street, east of North Lincoln Avenue, north of West Woodbury Road, and west of North Fair Oaks Avenue; and

-- south of East Harriet Street and East Mendocino Street, east of North Fair Oaks Avenue, north of East Woodbury Road, and west of North Lake Avenue.

In addition, evacuation orders were lowered to evacuation warnings in four other Altadena communities:

-- east of North Fair Oaks Avenue, north of East Harriet Street and East Mendocino Street, west of North Lake Avenue, and south of East Altadena Drive;

-- east of Sunny Oaks Circle, north of East Altadena Drive, west of Eaton Canyon (Open Space), and south of Rubio Canyon;

-- east of North Lake Avenue, north of East Mendocino Street, west of North Allen Avenue, and south of East Altadena Drive; and

-- east of Lincoln Avenue, north of West Harriet Street, west of North Fair Oaks Avenue, and south of West Altadena Drive.

An evacuation center remained open at the Pasadena Convention Center at 300 E. Green St.

Small animals were being taken at the Pasadena Humane Society at 361 S. Raymond Ave., and large animals were being taken at Industry Hills Expo, 16200 Temple Ave., and Pico Rivera Sports Arena, 11003 Sports Arena Drive.

The fire has burned 14,021 acres in Altadena and Pasadena since Jan. 7, leaving at least at least 17 people dead. Eight firefighters have been injured battling the blaze.

SoCalGas officials temporarily shut off natural gas service to thousands of customers in the Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre communities as a safety measure. As of Monday, the utility had restored service to 3,040 of those.

The Gas Co. has established an information booth for residents at the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at Pasadena City College's Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Pasadena Unified School District, which includes Altadena, announced that the following 10 schools and programs will re-open on Thursday:

-- Hamilton Elementary;

-- Willard Elementary & Children's Center;

-- Blair Middle and High School;

-- San Rafael Elementary;

-- McKinley School;

-- Rose City High School;

-- Center for Independent Study;

-- Pasadena Adult Living Skills;

-- Twilight Adult School;

-- Aveson Global Leadership Academy.

The entire Angeles National Forest has been closed for public safety and the protection of natural resources through at least midnight Wednesday.

There were 2,475 personnel assigned to the firefighting effort as of Monday, Cal Fire reported.

The Eaton Fire was reported about 6:20 p.m. Jan. 7 in the area of Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in the hills above Altadena amid hurricane force Santa Ana winds, according to Cal Fire. The cause of the fire has not been determined.