When the flames from the deadly Eaton Fire crept toward their neighborhood in western Altadena, Mark Douglas and his neighbors had already decided not to rely on Los Angeles County’s emergency alert system. “We felt the heat and saw the fire before anyone told us to leave,” Douglas shared. “The system failed us.”

Out of the 28 wildfire-related deaths in Los Angeles County, 17 occurred in western Altadena, where residents say they either received evacuation orders hours late—or not at all. This has led county officials to call for an independent investigation into the emergency alert system used during the recent Eaton and Palisades Fires.

The Eaton Fire began on January 7 at 6:18 p.m., yet some residents didn’t learn about the danger until they saw flames nearing their homes. A Los Angeles Times review found that electronic evacuation orders weren’t sent to western Altadena neighborhoods until 3:25 a.m. the next day, raising concerns that earlier alerts could have saved lives.

County Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Lindsey Horvath have proposed bringing in a consultant to evaluate the evacuation policies and alert systems. “We owe it to our communities to review these systems and ensure we’re better prepared for future disasters,” Barger said in a statement.

Many residents reported not receiving alerts because they lacked cell service or power. The county’s Joint Information Center explained that emergency notifications included door knocks, loudspeaker patrols, and wireless alerts, but Douglas and others feel this layered approach fell short. “Older neighbors, many not tech-savvy or mobile, were left vulnerable,” he said.

Douglas and his partner managed to evacuate with their pets and horses before official orders arrived, but others weren’t as fortunate. Longtime resident Vester Pittman, a pastor, said he never received an alert and only realized the danger when he saw flames across the street at 2 a.m. He and his grandson escaped just in time.

As the county prepares for a comprehensive review, residents like Douglas hope the investigation will lead to improvements. “If the system failed, it’s the most vulnerable who paid the price,” he said.