In mid-March 2025, the first private residences destroyed by the Eaton Fire near Eaton Canyon have begun to be cleared by the Army Corps of Engineers. This marks a crucial first step in what will be a long recovery process for the area.
According to the Los Angeles County Emergency Management website, 72 structures within one block of the canyon were completely destroyed, with an additional 33 structures sustaining damage. As of the morning of March 19, 2025, four homes have been cleared.
Burned structures can release toxic fumes, particularly on dry and windy days. These contaminants include asbestos, lead, mercury, burned plastics, and gasoline residue—many of which pose serious health risks. To mitigate this, the Army Corps of Engineers is removing six inches of topsoil from affected properties to eliminate pollutants that have seeped into the ground.
Beyond the immediate damage, storm drains from fire-ravaged areas to the west also channel runoff into Eaton Canyon’s wash. Approximately 500 homes north of Altadena Drive, between Las Flores Canyon and Eaton Canyon, contribute to this drainage system. A map of these storm drains is available here under “Canyon Infrastructure.”
For air quality to improve, all 72 destroyed structures, along with most of the 500 upstream homes, will need to be cleared. Even then, other significant hazards remain, making it necessary to keep Eaton Canyon closed for public safety and environmental recovery.
Here is where those structures were lost:
- Pinecrest Gate: 27 destroyed structures, 3 damaged
- Midwick Gate: 17 destroyed structures, 11 damaged
- Main Gate: 21 destroyed structures, 18 damaged
- East side of the canyon (No entrances): 7 destroyed structures, 1 damaged