Thursday, March 20, 2025

Caltech Team Launches Air Quality Monitor Network in Altadena to Monitor Dust, Ash Levels

Community-based sensors track particulate matter during Altadena recovery efforts

In response to the Eaton fire that destroyed air quality monitoring equipment in Altadena, Caltech researchers have established a new PHOENIX network of particulate air quality sensors to provide residents and officials with real-time data on airborne dust levels as debris removal and rebuilding continue in the affected areas.

“With phase-2 debris removal underway, we wanted to give the community a source of independent air-quality measurements,” says Haroula Baliaka, a graduate student in environmental science and engineering at Caltech who has been working to install the PHOENIX sensors.

“At the same time,” Baliaka said, “the data can be used by agencies such as Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Army Corps of Engineers to gauge how well dust-mitigation efforts are working.”

The network — whose name stands for Post-fire airborne Hazard Observation Environmental Network for Integrated Xposure-monitoring — consists of 19 sensors strategically placed across Altadena, including one at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Thursday, March 20, 2025

Political Gumbo: It’s Only a Matter of Time

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Hard to believe in a few weeks, it will be 90 days since the deadly fire on the mountain and a once in a lifetime wind event combined to decimate Altadena and do serious damage to some homes in Pasadena.

Yes, let’s not forget the losses suffered in Pasadena as the rebuild effort in Altadena continues.

I got the first call this week, the Army Corp. of Engineers is going in to knock down my living room wall, which is about the only thing standing at my place.

They have to do it to make the property safe before the debris removal can proceed.

No shock there.

Truth to tell I’m surprised anything was left standing based on the devastation left in the wake of the fire.

Still, things are moving forward. Plans for the new house are all but done.

No insurance issues, knock on … well knock on debris.

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Report: Records Show Edison Towers in Altadena Fire Zone Had ‘Ignition’ Risk

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Some Southern California Edison power lines near the suspected origin of the Eaton Fire were flagged as fire hazards and overdue for maintenance, raising questions about the utility’s role in the catastrophic Jan. 7 blaze, according to company records cited Wednesday by the Los Angeles Times.

As investigations continue and lawsuits mount, the utility insists it took all necessary precautions to prevent a wildfire. However, company records filed with the state and uncovered by the Times reveal that Edison was aware some of its towers near the suspected ignition point posed fire hazards, the newspaper reported.

According to the Times, two power lines remained active until after the fire started, while a third line, decommissioned in 1971, had not carried electricity for decades. Yet some investigators and attorneys suing the utility believe the Mesa-Sylmar transmission line may have somehow become energized on Jan. 7.

Records show that 94 open work orders along these lines were still pending as of Dec.

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

First Wave of Financial Aid Reaches Altadena Fire Victims, Larger Distribution Coming Soon

Altadena residents impacted by the recent wildfires have begun receiving critical financial assistance, with officials announcing that the first $2.7 million in grant funds has been distributed to businesses, nonprofits, and individual workers affected by the disaster.

During the March 17 Altadena Community Meeting, Supervisor Kathryn Barger reported that these initial funds were awarded to 82 businesses and nonprofits, with each organization receiving grants of $25,000. Additionally, 324 workers received individual grants of $2,000 each.

“I’m committed to getting these public dollars into your hand as quickly as possible to meet your needs,” Supervisor Barger said during the meeting.

The first round of grants prioritized those who suffered the greatest impacts from the fires and those who submitted their applications most promptly. However, applicants not selected for the first phase will have another opportunity soon, as officials announced that an additional $15.9 million in grants will be released this week of March 31st. Any applicant not selected for phase one will automatically be considered for phase two.

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Newsom’s New California Homelessness Plan Leaves Out Some Important Details

By Dan Walters, CALMATTERS

Let’s assume that there’s a theoretical problem that needs to be addressed with a plan of action. Logically, such a plan would define the problem, declare what goals must be reached, list actions to reach the goals and, most importantly, identify the necessary logistical and financial tools required.

Humankind’s many armed conflicts have proven that plans lacking all of those elements often fail.

The allied invasion to end Nazi domination of Europe on D-Day, June 6, 1944, is a spectacular example of a meticulously detailed action plan that worked brilliantly. Conversely, the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union ultimately failed because its planners underestimated the opposition and failed to account for how the German army could be supplied, particularly during the harsh Russian winter.

California’s most stubborn crisis, one that looms large in the minds of taxpayers and voters, is the state’s worst-in-the-nation level of homelessness. Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislators have spent many billions of dollars on homelessness,

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

State Attorney General Bonta Warns of Fake ICE Officers and Other Immigration Scams

CITY NEWS SERVICE

State law enforcement officials are warning Californians Wednesday to take steps to protect themselves amid new reports of individuals impersonating U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement officers and other immigration scams.

In recent months, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued ways to help California immigrants better understand their rights and protections under the law and assist law enforcement, prosecutors and public institutions in complying with state law.

Bonta warned that as scammers and other bad actors seek to capitalize “on the fear and uncertainty created by the Trump Administration’s racist rhetoric and destructive immigration policies,” Californians should know it is a crime to impersonate a federal officer. He said he wanted to encourage everyone to know their rights under the law and take steps to protect themselves from scams.

The full set of guidance, many available in multiple languages, can be accessed at oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources.

“We have received reports of individuals looking to take advantage of the fear and uncertainty created by President Trump’s inhumane mass deportation policies,”

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Two Altadena Water Districts Lift “Do Not Drink” Orders, But One Remains Off Limits

Two major water providers in Altadena have lifted their “Do Not Drink” orders, allowing thousands of local residents to safely use their tap water again following the Eaton Fire that devastated most of the town earlier this year.

During the March 17 Altadena Community Meeting, officials from several local water districts shared updates on the status of drinking water safety throughout the area.

Jennifer Betancourt Torres, General Manager of Lincoln Avenue Water Company, announced that as of last Thursday, March 13th, the “Do Not Drink” order has been lifted for their entire service area.

“Residents within the Lincoln Service area may now safely resume use of their tap water for drinking and all of the purposes,” Betancourt Torres said during the meeting.

Armando De La Paz, Assistant General Manager of Rubio Cañon Land & Water Association, delivered similar good news, stating their system is now entirely potable after receiving clearance from authorities on Monday.

“We are also happy to report we received our lift for our Marine Corps on Monday month,

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Altadena Debris Removal Effort Continues as Right Of Entry Deadline Approaches

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

The Department of Public Works provided an update on the ongoing debris removal efforts in Altadena during a community meeting on Monday.

According to Chris Shepherd, an engineer with the department, 8,854 Right of Entry (ROE) submissions have been collected to date. Of those, 5,177 have been processed and sent to the Army Corps of Engineers for debris removal operations.

For the Altadena area specifically, Shepherd reported 5,087 ROE submissions, with 3,080 of them already transmitted to the Army Corps for cleanup. The department is processing hundreds of ROEs daily and transmitting over 200 each day, ensuring that the cleanup continues at a steady pace.

“We continue to put a lot of resources into this effort,” Shepherd said. “We’re reviewing hundreds of ROEs per day and we’re transmitting ROEs at a rate of over 200 ROEs per day over to the Army Corps for cleanup and continue to work through that.”

The Army Corps of Engineers has significantly expanded its debris removal efforts in the Eaton footprint,

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Investigation into Power Line as Possible Cause of Eaton Fire Ramps Up

STAFF REPORT

After initially claiming there was no evidence its equipment was at fault in the Eaton Wildfire that left more than a dozen people dead, Southern California Edison (SCE) is now investigating one of its power lines as the possible origin of the blaze.

The utility is checking a “zombie” power line. According to SCE spokesperson Kathleen Dunleavy, zombie power lines are no longer energized.

The fire, which broke out in early January, was driven by intense winds and killed 17 people, destroyed 9,000 structures in Altadena and Pasadena, and burned more than 14,000 acres.

At least two videos appear to show sparks coming from the power line, and then the fire breaking out on the hillside in Eaton Canyon.

At least 50 law firms appeared in court on Monday, representing Altadena and Pasadena residents who have filed lawsuits against Edison. The City and the Pasadena Unified School District have also filed lawsuits.

SCE is gathering evidence and inspecting its equipment in the area where the fire started.

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

LA County Assessor Outlines Tax Relief For Eaton Fire Victims

County’s “Misfortune and Calamity” program allows homeowners to maintain tax base while rebuilding

Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang presented detailed information about property tax relief programs available to Eaton Fire victims at Monday’s Pasadena City Council meeting. The programs aim to help affected property owners maintain their tax base and receive lower property tax bills until they rebuild their homes.

“If your home is destroyed, land is worth 50% of the value, we will zero out the value on the improvements. You’ll get a lower tax bill until you begin to rebuild your home,” Prang explained in his presentation to the council.

Prang highlighted the “Misfortune and Calamity” tax relief program as the primary resource for fire victims. To qualify, property damage must exceed $10,000 (including smoke damage) and claims must be filed within 12 months of the fire date, though Prang mentioned he is sponsoring legislation to extend this period to 24 months.

The assessor addressed a significant challenge with the January 1st lien date for assessments,