2025 EASTERN AREA IARR REPORT

All resources have demobilized from California assignments. This report will be updated when significant activity occurs. Please check back!

January 2025 saw an unwelcome surge of activity in Southern California. Santa Ana winds reported at 100mph or greater led to the explosive growth of the Palisades, Eaton and other very high profile fires. On January 16, a Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory was issued to highlight the extraordinary conditions. By January 20, around 40,000 acres had burned and over 15,000 structures had been lost.

The response from the Eastern Area was swift with numerous crews, modules and overhead resources making themselves available in what is traditionally a quieter time of year. Ten suppression modules and two type 2 IA crews were mobilized to assist, patrol and support initial attack activities.

High confidence in widespread periods of rain in the Tuesday through Friday period. The peak rainfall timing with the first band is expected to be Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. Rainfall amounts across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties are expected to range from 1 to 2 inches, with 2 to 4 inches in the mountains and foothills. For Los Angeles and Ventura counties, we are expecting between 0.50 to 1.50 inches, except locally 1.50 to 3.00 inches in the mountains and foothills. Peak rain rates are generally expected to range between 0.25 and 0.50 inches per hour, except locally 0.50 to 0.75 inches per hour in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. There is a low but present risk for heavy amounts, rates, and more significant flooding and debris flow activity in the recent burn scars.

The Interagency Resource Representative (IARR) represents their Geographic Area Coordination Center ( GACC ) and assists Incident Management Teams (IMT) in providing information and assistance to resources during check-in and initial work assignments. The IARR communicates daily with the home GACC, area resources, and IMTs. Eastern Area IARRs assist crews in the field with everything from medical paperwork to demobilization. They shuttle crewmembers to airports and correct timesheet issues. They share meals with EA resources at fire camp and liaison with host GACCs and dispatch centers. The IARR reports to the GACC Center Manager or designee and works in the Command functional area.