Sunday, January 26, 2025

Altadena Chamber Plans Wildfire Recovery Zoom Webinar

Support is available for businesses and workers affected by recent disasters

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce & Civic Association and Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity are organizing a virtual Zoom webinar to provide critical recovery resources for local businesses and workers hard-hit by recent windstorms and wildfires.

The hour-long session, scheduled for Thursday, January 30 aims to connect affected community members with essential support programs and technical assistance through partnerships with local and state organizations.

The virtual event will showcase the Department of Economic Opportunity’s new Business to Business Space Share program and Los Angeles Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds.

Participants will learn about the “Bringing Altadena Back” program, a partnership with Chamber Nation offering innovative technology and support to streamline business operations and enhance economic recovery in Altadena.

The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a Small Business Disaster Recovery Fund, supported by major companies like Bank of America and Amazon,

Sunday, January 26, 2025

The Threat of Flooding Hangs Over the Eaton Fire Area

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Forecasters have issued a flood watch Sunday for the devastated Eaton Fire area in Altadena as firefighters got the massive burn area 95% contained by fire lines and continued to root out hot spots.

With rain expected through Monday, the National Weather Service issued a flood watch from Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon for the Eaton burn scar.

“Flash flooding and debris flows caused by excessive rainfall are possible in and near the burn scars,” the NWS said. ”  …Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.”

Pasadena Water and Power lifted the do-not-drink water notice for the remaining areas in its service territory Friday, while the Foothill Municipal Water District said it will be able to fully pressurize the water system this weekend. Testing will then take up to two weeks before that do-not-drink order can be lifted.

The fire has burned 14,021 acres in Altadena and Pasadena since Jan.

Saturday, January 25, 2025

LA County Deploys Protective Measures to Safeguard Communities Ahead of Weekend Storm

As the LA County region prepares for a weekend of rain, Los Angeles County Public Works is collaborating with state and local partners to protect people, property and the natural environment from potential mud and debris flows following a spate of deadly wildfires. Flood control dams, river channels, and stormwater capture facilities are fully operational, and maintenance crews are prepared to mobilize 24/7 patrols in advance of the incoming storm.

The mud and debris forecast, released by LA County Public Works engineers, calls for Phase 1 conditions for the Eaton burn area. Small isolated debris and mudflows are expected.

In addition to clearing debris from streets, prepping debris basins in the foothills, and protecting the storm drain system from ash and debris, LA County Public Works is coordinating with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to deploy a wide range of protective measures. LA County Public Works engineers continue to assess burn areas for where these measures should be strategically placed to safeguard homes and infrastructure.

Saturday, January 25, 2025

USGS Models Show Critical Debris Flow Risk in Altadena and Parts of Pasadena Over Coming Days

Hydrologist warns of heightened landslide potential as weekend storms approach

United States Geological Survey models indicate that as little as 0.2 inches of rain within 15 minutes could trigger dangerous debris flows in local Eaton Fire burn areas, representing one of the lowest thresholds observed in the region’s recent fire-affected zones. 

“A large fraction of the Eaton burn area has burned at least moderate burn severity, leaving bare soil vulnerable to erosion,” said United States Geological Survey Research Hydrologist Jason Kean. He added, “The combination of increased potential for runoff and easily eroded sediment substantially increases the

susceptibility of the burn area to floods and debris flows relative to what it was before the fire.” 

Kean explained that the burn area faces both immediate and long-term risks. 

“For recent burn areas … it is the rainfall intensity that matters, not the total precipitation,” he said. “Intense bursts of rainfall can come in localized thunderstorms, or it can be embedded in long-duration rainstorms.” 

Saturday, January 25, 2025

At Altadena Town Hall, Residents Hear Details of 18-Month Cleanup Process

Local and federal officials outlined recovery plans for up to 10,000 destroyed structures and announced over $40 million in distributed aid at a packed Altadena town hall meeting Friday, two weeks after devastating fires killed at least 17 residents in the unincorporated community.

Sheriff Robert Luna reported 15 people remain missing in the Eaton fire area, highlighting early rescue efforts that saved 30 disabled adults and 250 residents from facilities that later burned. Officials announced heightened security measures, including mounted patrols and drone surveillance, after documenting 31 burglaries and making arrests for various crimes in the fire zone.

Col. Eric Swenson of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers detailed an 18-month cleanup process, beginning with EPA removal of hazardous materials followed by comprehensive debris removal from private properties. Property owners must sign right-of-entry forms to participate in the federal cleanup program, he said.

FEMA officials reported distributing over $40 million in aid, with maximum individual assistance of $43,600 for structure damage and another $43,600 for contents,

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Additional Disaster Recovery Center Opening Monday in Altadena

CITY NEWS SERVICE

A Disaster Recovery Center will open Monday in the Altadena area, the third such center to open in the wake of the Southland’s destructive and deadly wildfires.

The center will be located at 540 W. Woodbury Road. It will join the existing centers operating at the Pasadena City College Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd., and at the UCLA Research Park West, 10850 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles,

The centers are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

County officials said the Pasadena and Altadena centers will both be open next week, however, beginning Feb. 1, the Pasadena center will close, with all of those services shifted to the new Altadena location.

The centers are designed to be one-stop-shop locations for people impacted by the fires to access a range of services and resources.

A host of county departments are represented at the centers, along with state agencies such as the Department of Motor Vehicles,

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Trump Visits Fire-Ravaged Pacific Palisades, But Not Altadena and Pasadena

CITY NEWS SERVICE

President Donald Trump toured the fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades Friday and vowed to “open the coffers” of the federal government and waive federal permits to expedite the rebuilding process.

“I don’t think you can realize how rough it is, how devastating it is until you see it,” Trump said of the fire damage. “I didn’t realize. I saw a lot of bad things on television, but the extent of it, the size of it. We flew over it … it is devastation. It’s incredible, it’s really an incineration. Even some of the chimneys came down. When you have chimneys come down you know that’s pretty hot stuff and a lot of them were down.

He did not tour Altadena, where more structures burned.

In a meeting with local, state and congressional leaders following the tour, Trump assured them “the federal government is standing behind you 100%.” He noted that the fires are “already the most expensive natural disaster,

Saturday, January 25, 2025

14,000-Acre Eaton Fire Winds Down as Recovery Begins

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The devastating Eaton Fire that claimed at least 17 lives and destroyed more than 9,400 structures reached 95% containment Saturday as officials push forward with recovery operations amid an approaching cold front and threat of rain.

The 14,021-acre blaze that began Jan. 7 in Altadena and Pasadena has also injured nine firefighters and left thousands without basic utilities. Cal Fire reports 1,837 personnel remain assigned to the incident.

Pasadena Water and Power lifted its do-not-drink order Friday, while Foothill Municipal Water District announced system pressurization this weekend, though testing could take two weeks before restrictions end.

Southern California Edison has restored power to 12,422 structures, with 6,961 still in the dark. SoCalGas resumed service to 6,094 customers after widespread shutoffs in Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre communities.

The Pasadena Convention Center continues housing 571 evacuees across six shelters as recovery efforts progress.

Southern California Edison reported that service has been restored to 12,422 structures,

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Kaiser Permanente, in Collaboration with Community Agencies, to Transform its Pasadena Regional Headquarters Building

STAFF REPORT

Kaiser Permanente 393 E Walnut St Pasadena via Google maps

Into a Wildfire Resource Hub for Residents Impacted by the Devastating 2025 LA Wildfires

At a time when tens of thousands of residents have been displaced by devastating wildfires, Kaiser Permanente is opening its Pasadena regional headquarters for use as a Wildfire Resource Hub that will provide direct assistance and resources to those affected.

The Wildfire Resource Hub was made possible through the collaboration and contributions of many partners. They include California Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), Emergency Network Los Angeles (ENLA), Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, the City of Pasadena, FEMA, as well as numerous nonprofit service providers such as the Tzu Chi Foundation, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross.

Kaiser Permanente’s Walnut Center building, located at 393 East Walnut St. in Pasadena, will support residents affected by the 2025 L.A.

Saturday, January 25, 2025

LA Metro to Resume Fare Collection Monday

CITY NEWS SERVICE

After waiving fees for more than two weeks as a result of fire emergencies, LA Metro announced it will resume collecting fares across its bus and rail systems after the weekend.

On social media platforms, the transit agency noted fare collection would begin with the start of service on Monday. Metro added, “We hope the free rides the past 2+ weeks helped you make essential trips during the fires.”

L.A. County Board Supervisor Janice Hahn, who is chair of Metro’s Board of Directors, implemented no-fare collection as a result of multiple fires that broke out Jan. 7. Thousands of residents in the Palisades, Altadena and areas around the city of Los Angeles had to evacuate and were displaced from their homes.

On Thursday, the Board of Directors approved a proposal to expand its LIFE program, an initiative to offer free and reduced-fare service for qualifying individuals.

The agency is expected to modify the eligibility of the program for at least six months.