Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Insurance Companies Under Fire Over Smoke Damage Claims

Altadena homeowners report denials despite official guidance

Altadena homeowners whose structures survived the Eaton fire but suffered interior smoke damage are facing challenges with insurance claim denials. During a Special Altadena Community Meeting on Monday, March 10, officials addressed growing frustration over these disputes.

Deputy Commissioner of the Consumer Services and Market for the California Department of Insurance Anthony “Tony” Cignarale noted that some insurance companies have been denying claims, citing recent court decisions. Cignarale said that the court decisions do not justify blanket denials.

The Department of Insurance issued a bulletin to insurers, reminding them of their obligations to inspect damage and process claims properly, regardless of external assessments like damage survey reports, Cignarale said.

LA County Board Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger also spoke about the issue of insurance coverage being denied due to improper use of damage assessment reports. These reports are limited to external walkarounds and were never intended to qualify or disqualify residents for aid. Insurers are required to conduct their own inspections and reports.

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

California Lawmakers Propose Fixes for ‘Insurance Industry in Shambles’

By Levi Sumagaysay, CALMATTERS

The fires that reduced Altadena, Pacific Palisades and other Los Angeles-area neighborhoods to rubble have also shined a harsh light on California’s raging insurance crisis.

Lawmakers have proposed a variety of bills to address the issues illuminated by the disaster, plus others that predate it. Some of the legislation would be the first of its kind in the nation.

One measure would put the state’s top two lawmakers on the governing committee of the FAIR Plan, the association of insurance companies that’s required by law to provide fire insurance to property owners who can’t find it anywhere else.

The FAIR Plan said last month that it was at risk of running out of money due to claims from the LA fires and asked for a $1 billion lifeline. Its member insurance companies were on the hook for that amount, and could try to pass along up to half of the cost to their customers.

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Three Congregations Return to Shared Church Building After Devastating Eaton Fire

STAFF REPORT

Amid piles of ash and lingering toxic smoke, a sense of unity has risen in California’s San Gabriel Valley where the Eaton Fire devastated communities in January 2025, according to a story published by Mennonite Disaster Services.

“Snowdrifts of ash, an acrid smell, a lung-burning toxic cocktail hanging in the air,” left the interior of the Pasadena Mennonite Church building unrecognizable following the fire, writer Susan Kim reports, quoting church member Dan Sharp who described “piles and piles of ash—ash on every horizontal surface.”

The Jan. 7 Eaton fire killed at least 17 people and destroyed 9,414 structures, leaving three congregations and their 270 members without a place to worship until their shared building could be professionally cleaned, Kim writes.

Less than two weeks after the disaster, Mennonite Disaster Service leaders reached out to the Church to offer assistance. According to Kim, the Mennonite Disaster Service California Unit funded half the cost of professionally cleaning the building,

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Army Corps Ramps Up Eaton Fire Debris Removal Operations

Work crews double in number

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has nearly doubled its debris removal workforce in the Eaton Fire zone over the past week and plans further expansion as recovery efforts intensify, officials announced at a special community meeting Monday, March 10.

Colonel Sonny Avichal told Altadena residents that crews conducting debris removal have increased from 35 to 65 in just one week, with projections to deploy between 80 and 100 crews in the coming weeks.

“We are ramping up operations significantly,” Avichal said during the virtual meeting organized for homeowners and renters whose structures survived the wildfire by Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger.

The Army Corps is moving forward with preparation of the Altadena Golf Course to serve as a temporary debris storage and reduction site, though Avichal noted, “It is not an operation right now, it is only being prepared.”

The facility is “essential for us meeting our goal of debris removal by January,

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Black Family Wellness Expo Saturday Will Offer Free Dental Screenings For Children

STAFF REPORT

Event focuses on community health while supporting families affected by Eaton/Altadena Fires

The Pasadena-Altadena Chapter of The Links, Incorporated will host a Black Family Wellness Expo on March 15 at the Jackie Robinson Community Center. Part of the National Impact Day of Service, this bilingual event aims to address health disparities in the Black community while providing essential resources for families, particularly those affected by the recent Eaton/Altadena Fires.

In response to the devastating Eaton/Altadena Fires, the expo will focus largely on supporting the mental health and well-being of children and families, especially those affected by the disaster.

Partnering with healthcare providers, faith-based organizations, and community groups, the Pasadena-Altadena Links are committed to “strengthening our community—Dena Strong—by addressing critical health needs, fostering healing, and promoting self-care and rebuilding.”

A highlight of the expo will be the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Dental Van, identified as “A Children’s Oral Health Improvement Program.” The van will provide free dental screenings for children ages 1-12.

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Wildfire Victims, Activists to Rally for Fossil Fuel Accountability in Pasadena

Climate change protesters to draw link between recent fires and corporate policies

People who lost their homes in recent Los Angeles County wildfires will join environmental activists and union members Tuesday at the Pasadena Community Job Center for a rally and news conference aimed at drawing the connection between fossil fuel corporations and the recent wildfire which destroyed Altadena and parts of Pasadena.

The “Invest in Communities, Not Fossil Fuels” demonstration will begin at 11 a.m. and continue onwards at the center, located at 500 N. Lake Ave., as part of a coordinated day of action across California.

A similar rally is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in Northern California, at the Richmond Chevron Refinery.

Protesters will call on CalPERS, the state’s largest pension fund, to divest from fossil fuel investments that they say are “further fueling the fires,” according to event contacts.

The rally is being organized by several groups, including Fossil Free California (FFCA), California Common Good,

Monday, March 10, 2025

Bipartisanship is Rare in the California Legislature. Here are the Bills Breaking the Divide

By Ryan Sabalow, CALMATTERS

In these hyper-partisan times, Democrats and Republicans can’t seem to agree on much. That includes the members of the California Legislature.

Of the 2,278 bills lawmakers submitted by the deadline last week, only 11 had Republicans and Democrats as joint lead authors, according to a CalMatters analysis of the Digital Democracy database.

Another 41 bills had bipartisan “co-authors” and “principal co-authors,” designations that are more symbolic since a bill’s lead authors and their staffs are expected to marshal the legislation through to the governor’s desk.

Authors and co-authors can still be added to bills later in the year. But taken together, these  early bipartisan bills represent less than 1% of all the legislation filed so far this session. The figure perhaps isn’t surprising, given ever-rising partisan acrimony and Democrats having a supermajority in the California Legislature.

“You know, at the end of the day, we as Democrats also represent a significant portion of Republicans,

Monday, March 10, 2025

It’s Official: Fire-Damaged Loma Alta Park in Altadena Set to Reopen in May

Park to be rebuilt with expanded facilities and new community services

Loma Alta Park, which was damaged in the Eaton Fire, will reopen in May with enhanced facilities and expanded services, Los Angeles County officials announced Friday.

The rebuilding effort, which typically would take 18 months, has been compressed to just two months through expedited measures by state and county authorities, along with community partners and volunteers.

“The people devastated by the Eaton Fire need their community back, and LA County will heed the call,” said Norma E. García-González, Director of Los Angeles County Parks, at a Wednesday ceremony at the park.

Several funding partners have stepped forward to support the park’s revival. Fire Aid, a January 30 benefit concert, provided a $2.4 million grant to rebuild and expand the park’s playgrounds with enhanced accessibility features.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced funding for “Alta Chat,” a new community hub featuring Adirondack chairs and amenities designed to foster neighborhood connections among displaced residents.

Monday, March 10, 2025

Three Pasadena Wells Fargo Branches Join Wildfire Recovery Effort

Financial giant partners with Operation HOPE to provide disaster recovery services for Los Angeles wildfire victims

Three Pasadena Wells Fargo branches have been designated as financial disaster recovery centers for individuals and businesses affected by recent Los Angeles wildfires.

The Pasadena locations are part of five Wells Fargo branches activated under Operation HOPE’s Project Restore HOPE Los Angeles initiative, making Wells Fargo the first financial institution to launch these specialized recovery support centers.

The Pasadena branches offering these services include Wells Fargo Hastings Ranch at 3701 E. Foothill Blvd., Wells Fargo North Pasadena at 1830 E. Washington Blvd., and Wells Fargo Pasadena Lake at 82 S. Lake Ave.

Two additional recovery centers are located at Wells Fargo La Cañada at 555 Foothill Blvd. and Wells Fargo Montrose at 2434 Honolulu Ave.

“We recognize that financial recovery is just as crucial as physical rebuilding after a disaster,” said Alice Juarez, Regional Branch Network Executive at Wells Fargo. “The wildfires in Los Angeles have left many families facing uncertainty,

Monday, March 10, 2025

When Flames Meet Faith: New Horizon School Becomes Sanctuary for Fire-Displaced Muslim Community

Educational institution opens doors to victims during holy month of Ramadan while redirecting fundraising efforts

New Horizon School Pasadena (NHSP) has transformed from an educational institution into a vital community sanctuary during the holy month of Ramadan, offering displaced Muslims space for daily prayers, community meals, and support services after devastating fires affected Masjid Al-Taqwa in Altadena.

The pre-K-8 school has opened its Cypress Avenue campus facilities to serve as a community hub for Muslims displaced by the recent fires, providing essential religious and community spaces during a critical time for gathering in Islam.

“In the spirit of Ramadan, and in following the footsteps of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, supporting our neighbors is deeply emphasized in Islam and is considered an important part of our faith,” New Horizon School said in a message on its website.

The timing adds spiritual significance to the school’s response, as the Muslim holy month traditionally emphasizes charity and community support through practices like daily prayers and iftar meals breaking the daily fast.