As firefighters continue to battle blazes in Palisade and Eaton, many residents are being denied access to fire-damaged neighborhoods to check on the condition of their homes, in part due to safety and security concerns.
In the meantime, residents can check the Los Angeles County portal to view inspection reports and images of the many damaged homes. Inspections of both fire zones are ongoing but not yet halfway complete, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and it is unclear when the work will be completed.
Recovery maps enable residents to identify conditions in their homes before evacuation orders are lifted and allow them to begin the insurance claim process.
"Due to safety and technical limitations of the work, damage inspection teams are working as quickly as possible. Their assessment can serve as the basis for an insurance claim, so this is not a cursory review of the property," the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management said in a statement.
Data provided by the inspections will be used by county, state and federal agencies as the recovery process proceeds.
The work of inspectors was "hindered by access issues and site hazards at some locations," the statement said. "We cannot yet tell exactly when this process will be completed."
The following is a summary of the inspection process for both fires.
Affected areas include Pacific Palisades and Malibu.
As of Wednesday, inspectors had completed inspections of 35% of the fire's footprint, according to the city of Malibu. Cal Fire estimates that more than 5,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed.
Inspections are conducted by 26 teams, each with two inspectors, according to the county Office of Emergency Management. Their latest findings:
To view a map showing inspection results to date, click here.
Affected areas include Altadena, Sierra Madre and Pasadena.
As of Wednesday, inspectors had completed inspections of 45% of the fire's footprint, according to Cal Fire. Cal Fire estimates that more than 7,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed.
Inspections are conducted by at least 20 teams, each with two inspectors, according to the county Office of Emergency Management. Their latest findings:
To view a map showing inspection results to date, click here.
Official reports currently include residential, commercial and other buildings. It's unclear when or if homes will be counted individually.
This is a developing story and will be updated.