The Eaton Fire, which burned more than 14,000 acres east of Los Angeles, has been fully contained, fire officials confirmed on Friday.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), the Palisades Fire, which consumed 23,448 acres west of Los Angeles, has also reached 100% containment.
Los Angeles County officials reported that the fires, along with several smaller blazes, resulted in the deadliest natural disaster in the county’s history.
The wildfires caused 28 fatalities, damaged or destroyed over 16,000 structures, and led to evacuation orders affecting 180,000 residents.
The impact of the fires extends beyond structural damage.
AccuWeather estimates the total economic losses to exceed $250 billion, factoring in property damage, business disruptions, and environmental recovery costs.
Containment, which refers to the percentage of a fire’s perimeter that is controlled, does not necessarily mean all flames are extinguished.
Parts of the interior remain active, particularly in rugged areas.
Rainfall in the past week helped firefighters finalize containment, but it also introduced new risks.
Officials warned that the rain increased the threat of flash floods and mudslides, particularly in areas stripped of vegetation by the fires.
Margaret Stewart, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department, noted that while containment is a milestone, the timing of the rain was not ideal: “Had this rain come two weeks ago, it might have been more helpful.”
Firefighters emphasized that full containment is largely a technical benchmark.
The critical point was halting the fires’ forward progress, which occurred about a week after they started on January 7.
Stewart explained: “It’s more important when we say forward progress is stopped.”
Fire crews continue monitoring smoldering areas and working to prevent flare-ups, especially in remote, mountainous terrain.
The Eaton Fire, which burned over 14,000 acres east of Los Angeles, has reached full containment, along with the larger Palisades Fire.
According to Cal Fire, the wildfires collectively resulted in 28 deaths and the destruction of more than 16,000 structures.
Los Angeles County officials reported that 180,000 people were under evacuation orders at the peak of the crisis.
Private forecaster AccuWeather estimates total economic losses at over $250 billion.
While rainfall in the past week helped firefighters contain the fires, it also raised concerns about flash floods and mudslides.
Fire officials emphasized that containment does not mean all fire activity has ceased, but forward progress was halted about a week after the fires began on January 7.
Authorities continue monitoring affected areas for lingering hazards.
