Thursday, January 23, 2025

Altadena, Palisades Residents Establish Community Wildfire Relief Funds

CITY NEWS SERVICE

In response to the devastating impact of the Los Angeles County wildfires, residents of Altadena and the Pacific Palisades have established community fund-raising efforts to assist in local recovery, officials announced Wednesday.

The Altadena Community Fund and The Palisades Community Fund aim to support immediate relief efforts and long-term recovery initiatives, said Tracy Lawrence, founder and CEO of The Lawrence Advisory and former executive-in-residence at USC’s Marshall School of Business.

Lawrence will chair a committee to oversee the selection of the boards to ensure equitable distribution of resources, driven by the voices and regional leadership of Altadena and the Pacific Palisades.

The community funds were founded by a group of local residents who saw an opportunity to empower Altadena and Pacific Palisades residents to have control over their own fund-raising and rebuilding efforts, officials said.

“Our role is to ensure these funds serve their communities effectively and transparently,” Lawrence, who will help establish the governance framework,

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Local Real-Estate Agent Charged in Alleged Price Gouging of Eaton Fire Victims

A La Cañada Flintridge real-estate agent is facing a criminal charge for allegedly attempting to price gouge a couple who lost their home in the Eaton Fire, officials announced Wednesday.

The investigation into Mike Kobeissi began when a complaint was filed with the California Department of Justice after the couple tried to rent a home after the governor’s emergency order, which protects fire victims from price gouging, went into effect on Jan. 7, state Attorney General Rob Bonta said.

The Pasadena Star-News reported today that Kobeissi has vehemently denied the accusations, saying state officials had made a mistake.

The DOJ has also sent at least 500 warning letters to hotels and landlords who have been accused of price gouging. In addition, the office has more active criminal investigations into price gouging underway, Bonta said.

“As I have said repeatedly, the price gouging must stop,” the AG said in a statement. “Today, we are making good on our promise to hold price gougers accountable,

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Forecast of 3 Days of Rain Starting Saturday Prompts Mud and Debris Flow Concerns

Even as Santa Ana winds continued to blast parts of the Southland, helping to fuel new brush fires in the Castaic area and Sepulveda Basin, local authorities are turning their attention Thursday to the probability of rain hitting the area this weekend, potentially triggering mud or debris flows in recent burn areas. 

In the wake of the recent devastating fires, local authorities on Wednesday urged residents to be prepared for weekend rain that could send debris coursing into streets or down mountain slopes. 

According to the National Weather Service, a “significant change in the weather” is anticipated by the weekend, with temperatures likely struggling to get out of the 50s, along with a “high to likely chance of rain,” including a chance of thunderstorms in the L.A. area, most likely between Saturday and Monday evening. 

The rainfall is expected to start Saturday with an 80% chance of light precipitation of less than a tenth of inch. Saturday evening rain continues and a thunderstorm is possible,

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Eaton Fire 95% Contained as Santa Ana Winds Persist and Rainfall Approaches

The Eaton Fire is 95% contained Thursday as firefighters managed to further surround the blaze despite another round of threatening Santa Ana winds that prompted red flag warnings that will be in effect until 10 a.m. Friday.

The National Weather Service predicts rain will fall from Saturday to at least Monday, prompting mudslide and water flow concerns.

The fire has burned 14,021 acres in Altadena and Pasadena since Jan. 7, leaving at least at least 17 people dead. Eight firefighters have been injured battling the blaze. It has destroyed 9,418 structures and damaged another 1,073.

There were 1,837 personnel assigned to the firefighting effort as of Wednesday night, Cal Fire reported.

County officials announced Monday that all residents evacuated from the Altadena area may now return, but noted that some areas are still under an evacuation order featuring “soft closures”  meaning those areas will be open only to residents with valid proof of residence.

Pasadena activated red flag parking restrictions Monday to allow for improved fire department access and resident evacuation on narrow and/or winding roads,

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Media: Trump to Tour Disaster Zones in Southern California

President Donald Trump will visit communities ravaged by natural disasters in North Carolina and California on Friday, according to a person familiar with his plans who shared them on condition of anonymity, Bloomberg reported late Wednesday.

Pasadena Now has not obtained confirmation of the trip from local authorities.

According to the New York Post and Bloomberg, the president will tour Asheville, North Carolina, which is recovering from devastating floods caused by Hurricane Helene in September, and parts of Southern California, where recent wildfires made worse by strong winds have burned entire neighborhoods.

Trump highlighted both disasters in his inauguration speech Monday, criticizing the federal government’s emergency response under the previous administration.

“Our country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency, as recently shown by the wonderful people of North Carolina, who been treated so badly, and other states who are still suffering from a hurricane that took place many months ago,”

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Altadena Town Council Chair at Meeting: “The Magnitude of This Devastation is Beyond Comprehension”

STAFF REPORT

The Altadena Town Council held its first public meeting Tuesday since the catastrophic Eaton wildfire devastated the community, with officials revealing the fire has destroyed 9,418 structures and damaged another 1,071, while claiming at least 17 lives.

“Our community, once vibrant with the warmth of daily life, has been forever changed,” said Town Council Chair Victoria Knapp. “The magnitude of this devastation is beyond comprehension and for so many of us, the pain, heartache and heartbreak are simply immeasurable.”

The fire, which erupted January 7 above Eaton Canyon, is now 91% contained with 2,375 personnel still assigned to the incident.

Building officials have completed preliminary assessments, issuing 8,068 red tags for structures unsafe to occupy and 331 yellow tags for buildings with restricted use.

During the meeting, Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella announced plans to open a dedicated one-stop permit center in Altadena within 30-60 days, likely across from the community center site.

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

First AME Church Bishop to Hold Press Conference on Eaton Fire’s Impact on Pasadena and Altadena Communities

STAFF REPORT

Bishop Francine Brookins, leader of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church 5th District, will hold a press conference at noon on Thursday, January 23, at the First AME Church-Pasadena, 1700 N. Raymond Ave., to address the devastating effects of the recent Eaton fire on local residents, particularly those in the AME Church community.

Driven by powerful wind gusts, the fire decimated Altadena and left more than 100 Pasadena homes red tagged, impacting over 65 families and more than 160 individuals in the church.

The press conference will focus on the urgent needs of fire victims, with an emphasis on the collective response of the AME Church and its partners. The group is working with government officials, nonprofits, and local organizations to provide immediate support, as well as a long-term recovery plan for the community.

“This gathering is not just about addressing the immediate needs of those impacted by the EATON fire, but also about fostering a holistic approach to healing,”

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

2025 Greater LA Homeless Count Rescheduled for February Following Wildfires

CITY NEWS SERVICE AND PASADENA NOW

The 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, postponed due to recent fire emergencies that displaced thousands of residents, has been rescheduled to February, officials announced Tuesday.

Separately, Pasadena’s Housing Department and the Pasadena Partnership to End Homelessness announced Pasadena’s Homeless Count will now take place on the evening of Wednesday, February 19 and the morning of Thursday, February 20. In addition, the City reported, a supplementary count focusing on Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) aged 18-24, will be conducted on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 19.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, originally set to conduct the count from Jan. 21-23, rescheduled the annual event to take place over three nights next month:

• Tuesday, Feb. 18: San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, and Metro Los Angeles;
• Wednesday, Feb. 19: San Gabriel Valley and East Los Angeles; and
• Thursday, Feb. 20: Antelope Valley, West Los Angeles, South Los Angeles and South Bay/Harbor areas.

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

94-Year-Old Man Missing in Eaton Fire Pronounced Dead

An at-risk 94-year-old Altadena man reported missing after being in contact with friends and family was found dead in a fire zone, authorities announced Tuesday. 

Edwin Cridlind, last seen on Jan. 7 in the 200 block of Wapello Street, had contacted friends and family around 7:30 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. 

The Los Angeles County Office of Medical Examiner said Cridland was pronounced dead on Jan. 11 due to smoke inhalation and burn injuries. 

No further details were available.

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Eaton Fire 91% Contained as All Areas Opened for Returns

CITY NEWS SERVICE

More residents in the Altadena area returned to their properties as firefighters neared full containment Wednesday of the Eaton Fire that has destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 17 people.

County officials announced Monday that all residents evacuated from the Altadena area may now return, but noted that some areas are still under an evacuation order featuring “soft closures” meaning those areas will be open only to residents with valid proof of residence.

Containment of the deadly and destructive blaze climbed to 91% Wednesday. Firefighters managed to further surround the blaze despite another round of threatening Santa Ana winds that prompted red flag warnings that will be in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday.

Pasadena activated red flag parking restrictions Monday to allow for improved fire department access and resident evacuation on narrow and/or winding roads, city officials said Monday.

Parking will be restricted “on posted narrow and/or winding roads within Pasadena’s urban-wildland interface areas,”