New satellite data analysis shows that the Eaton fire may have damaged or destroyed over 6,500 buildings as it swept through neighborhoods in Altadena and Pasadena.
An analysis by remote sensing experts Jamon Van Den Hoek from Oregon State University and Corey Scher from the CUNY Graduate Center suggests that more than 6,500 buildings within the Eaton fire perimeter may have been damaged or destroyed, based on satellite data collected by Thursday morning.
While these estimates are higher than official figures—currently over 5,000 structures reported damaged or destroyed—by Friday, the impact of the fire was still evident. Altadena was largely deserted, with parts of Monterosa Drive, especially near where at least one person died, resembling a haunting scene. Eaton is one of the two largest fires to erupt this week and has quickly turned deadly.
The destruction from the Eaton fire is extensive, affecting both Altadena and parts of Pasadena to the east. Aerial images of Pasadena revealed scattered debris from burned homes in Hastings Ranch, a neighborhood on the city’s eastern edge, near the San Gabriel Mountains.
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In parts of Altadena, nearly all buildings were affected, with few spared from the fire’s devastation. The Altadena Community Church was largely destroyed, leaving only a portion of its structure still standing.
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Eaton, which started on Tuesday, is one of several major wildfires still burning in Los Angeles. The Palisades fire, the largest of the ongoing blazes, has caused widespread destruction through Pacific Palisades and the Malibu coastline.
An assessment by the two researchers found that more than 4,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the Palisades fire.
On Friday, large sections of Toyopa Drive, located on the eastern end of the city near Santa Monica, were left in ruins.
The fire was so intense that even after it had largely passed through parts of Pacific Palisades, flames could still be seen engulfing buildings from planes flying overhead.
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The rebuilding efforts are expected to be vast. Photos from the scene showed a realtor’s office, with its roof and signage completely destroyed—just one of many businesses that have been burned down.
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As of Friday, the Eaton and Palisades fires had claimed at least 11 lives and forced thousands of residents to evacuate. Over 36,000 acres have been burned, making these two fires among the worst in California’s recorded history.