Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALTADENA - More human remains are being recovered during grid searches in the Eaton Fire burn area, authorities said Sunday.

11 deaths are confirmed and 12 people are reported as missing, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.

A grid search conducted January 11 of 363 residences was conducted and three deaths were found, Luna said.

Favorable weather allowed firefighters to gain 27 percent containment. Acreage burned stands at 14,117. Inspectors have completed 16 percent of damage assessments for dwellings within the burn area, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone.

Without providing specifics, Marrone said Los Angeles County is working on the opportunity for residents to view Online their property for damage assessments.

Despite the high publicity of National Guard troops and increased police patrols in burn areas, burglars and looters are still penetrating, perimeters to commit crimes within affected areas.

Nearly 30 people have been arrested so far in both the Eaton fire and Palisades fire burn areas, accused of burglary and looting, according to Sheriff Luna: 25. In the Eaton Fire burn area and four in the Palisades burn area.

Saturday in the Palisades burn area, a burglary suspect decked out in firefighter attire was arrested, Luna said.

In the Eaton Fire burn area, three people were arrested for curfew violations, while three were arrested. Among the charges were carrying a concealed firearm and narcotics violations, Luna said.

Residents and business owners are still not allowed within the Eaton fire burn area. Sunday morning, there were reports of Scientology members attempting to enter the Eaton Fire burn area reportedly to clean up. A group of Scientology members were turned away at Woodbury and Fair Oaks Avenue, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s radio traffic.

For the time being, only authorized personnel are allowed within the Eaton Fire burn area. Authorities have yet to determine a time when residents and business owners can re-populate the area.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALTADENA - Firefighters are making gains on the Eaton Fire that decimated large swaths of Altadena and Pasadena.

Acreage burned now stands at 14,117 with 15 percent containment. Eight people have been confirmed dead and 11 people are missing and unaccounted for. More than 7,000 homes, businesses, outhouses and vehicles are damaged or destroyed.

2,532 firefighters are assigned to the Eaton Fire. A 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew remains in effect for all areas under evacuation orders in both the Eaton and Palisades burn areas.

Roughly 400 National Guard troops are assisting with road closures, as well as officers from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Azusa, Irwindale, Whittier and more.

National Guard troops have also been stationed at the request of Azusa Police to maintain a closure of San Gabriel Canyon Road.

All Angeles National Forest roads and trails remain closed until midnight January 15, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Firefighters continue arriving from outside California to assist in fighting all active fires, including firefighters from Oregon, from Frisco, Texas and from Mexico.

A Local Health Emergency has been declared in LA County. A new Health Officer Order prohibits the use of power air blowers, including leaf blowers, as these devices stir up ash and harmful particles, worsening air quality and increasing health risks, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

19 suspected looters have been arrested in the Eaton Fire burn area. Most arrests involved burglary, looting, trespassing, possession of narcotics, identity theft, and one suspect was on active parole and charged with possession of a concealed firearm, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.

Pasadena Unified schools are closed until January 17.

Los Angeles County is not out of the woods just yet. Critical Fire Weather conditions remain with the threat of high winds extending into Wednesday, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone.

ALTADENA - The first week of July saw three vehicle burglaries, three petty thefts from vehicles and a vehicle was even stolen, deputies said.

half of the burglaries and petty thefts occurred through unlocked vehicles doors and one vehicle was accessed by breaking a window, according to the Altadena Sheriff’s Station.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

ALTADENA - A burglar or burglars took off with at least four catalytic converters over two days, deputies reported.
 
The grand thefts were reported to deputies from September 16 to September 18.
 
The first grand theft was reported in the 800 block of East Sacramento Street around 4 p.m. September 16. The catalytic converter was taken from a 2006 Toyota Prius.
 
The following day, two catalytic converter thefts were reported. One from a 2004 Prius at 3:30 p.m. in the 1700 block of Atchison Street. The second was reported at 9 p.m. in the 400 block of Alberta Street from a 2005 Prius, according to the Altadena Sheriff’s Station.
 
September 18, a catalytic converter was reported stolen from a 2007 Prius in the 100 block of East Woodbury Road around 2 a.m.
 
No suspect descriptions were available.