New round of evacuation orders lifted as LA mayor names chief recovery officer

A Pasadena firefighter who worked tirelessly on the front lines to contain the devastating Eaton Fire and save his community suffered a personal loss during that same fire.

Chien Yu, who works as a fire engineer, began battling the Eaton Fire right after he evacuated his home along with his wife and two children.

Yu worked tirelessly to save his community and unfortunately lost his own home in the fire.

A Pasadena firefighter who worked tirelessly on the front lines to contain the devastating Eaton Fire and save his community suffered a personal loss during that same fire.

"We worked all night, worked really hard. We tried," said Yu as he held back tears, describing how hard he and his crew tried to save homes in Altadena from the wind fueled fire.

"We'd go to a street and try to put out a fire and then walk to the backyard and there would be three to four more homes on fire on the other side of the street."

Among the houses that burned to the ground was his own.

"When we saw the fire, I just said 'Guys it's coming' and I grabbed an empty box and started grabbing stuff," said Yu's wife, Kim.

She headed to safety along with their two sons while Chien went straight to work, only grabbing some socks and underwear.

"When you're trying to go help fight fires and it's actually your home. It's unbelievable," said Yu. "There's no words, no words. It's just crazy what everybody in the neighborhood, the family's gone through."

The Yu's not only lost their home, but they also lost their son's school. But they said they are counting their blessings and preparing for a brighter future.

"We have a fighting spirit in us and we have hope and faith that it will be okay and we will rebuild Altadena," said Kim.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe was set up to help the Yu family recover.

A Pasadena firefighter who worked tirelessly on the front lines to contain the devastating Eaton Fire and save his community suffered a personal loss during that same fire.

A new fire erupted in Ventura County Monday night and was burning through the Santa Clara riverbed as strong winds threatened the region.

The Auto Fire was first reported around 7 p.m. between Victoria Avenue and Ventura Boulevard.

Forward progress was stopped at around 11:45 p.m. and was mapped at 55 acres with 0% containment.

Crews were forced to battle the fire as strong winds fueled its rapid growth.

At least 100 Ventura City Fire, Oxnard Fire and Federal Fire Ventura County firefighters were actively working to mop up hotspots and increase containment.

The fire was contained to the river bottom.

Northbound traffic of the 101 Freeway was shut down around 9 p.m. as the fire continued to spread closer to Victoria Avenue.

The Auto Fire burned near the River Ridge Golf Club and the 101 Freeway, but VCFD said it was not a threat to any structures.

An evacuation order was issued for the Santa Clara River between the 101 Freeway and Victoria Avenue. No residential areas were placed under evacuation.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A new fire erupted in Ventura County Monday night and was burning through the Santa Clara riverbed as strong winds threatened the region.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed that the state provide an additional $2.5 billion in funding for its firestorm response and recovery efforts.

Newsom signed a proclamation on Monday that expands the scope of the state legislature's current special session "to further boost response and initial recovery efforts for Los Angeles," his office said in a press release.

The governor is requesting $1 billion to go toward the emergency response, cleanup and recovery in the Los Angeles wildfires, as well as $1.5 billion in funding to prepare for the threats of firestorms and other natural disasters, according to the proclamation.

Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas said in a statement that the assembly members "are listening to their residents and will bring feedback to the discussion as we consider the Governor's proposal."

Nine people have been charged with looting in connection with the Palisades and Eaton fires, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Monday.

"There have been certain people that we have given a warning to because we anticipated that this was half was going to happen, and these are the criminals," Hochman said during a press briefing. "These are the people who are seeking to exploit this tragedy for their own benefit."

Among those charged are three people accused of stealing more than $200,000 in property in a burglary last week at a house in Mandeville Canyon during an "evacuation situation," Hochman said.

A man has also been charged with arson in a fire that occurred in the city of Azusa on Friday, Hochman said.

Nine people have been charged with looting in connection with the Palisades and Eaton fires, L.A. County DA Nathan Hochman announced.