Wednesday, January 22, 2025

LA Supervisors OK Letter Seeking Further Wildfire Recovery Funds

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved an official letter to be sent to President Donald Trump, Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state and federal agencies seeking funding for wildfire recovery to be directly allocated to local agencies.

The county CEO was also tasked with collaborating with county departments in identifying budgetary requests to expedite recovery efforts in affected communities.

The devastating wildfires that broke out Jan. 7 have prompted local and state emergency declarations, with former President Joe Biden approving a Major Disaster Declaration and providing federal backing for firefighting efforts.

On Jan. 13, Newsom also proposed that California provide at least $2.5 billion in additional funding for ongoing emergency response efforts and to expedite recovery efforts. Tuesday’s motion also highlights Biden’s pledge to provide 100% federal backing for debris removal and emergency protective measures for six months.

“In response, Congress is currently considering a series of bills developed to address the 2025 Los Angeles County Fires disaster,”

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

LA County Offers Eviction, Short-Term Rental Protections to Fire Victims

By ANUSHA SHANKAR, City News Service

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution Tuesday offering eviction protection for renters who open their homes to people or pets displaced by this month’s wildfires, and promoting increased short-term rental availability.

Tuesday’s resolution protects tenants in unincorporated areas of the county against eviction when hosting unauthorized occupants or pets displaced due to the fire.

Short-Term Rental hosts were also allowed to offer and advertise:

• More than one STR;
• A smaller space/room as an STR;
• Vacation Rentals for use as an STR; and
• Unlimited stay exceeding the current 90-night maximum.

Provisions to short-term rentals were limited only to those hosting fire victims.

The provisions will remain in effect until May 31, 2026.

“As we face one of the most devastating natural disasters in Los Angeles County’s history, we must act with urgency to protect and support those displaced —

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

LA Sheriff Boosts Patrols in Altadena Fire Zone to Support Recovery, Ensure Community Safety

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is intensifying its efforts to provide comprehensive support to the Altadena Eaton Fire burn area, reflecting a strategic shift in its operations to address the community’s evolving needs. This transition marks a move from strictly enforced containment measures, characterized by hard closures, to a mission focused on community support. The Department is prioritizing the safety and recovery of residents as they begin to return to their homes and neighborhoods, many of which have been significantly impacted by the fire.

To address the increased demand for security and assistance, LASD has established a specialized Looter Suppression Team. This dedicated unit is composed of personnel drawn from multiple LASD divisions, each bringing specialized expertise to combat looting and other criminal activities that can arise during times of community vulnerability. The team will operate with additional deputy personnel assigned to increase patrol operations.

AERO Bureau will also support these efforts by conducting aerial patrols, providing enhanced surveillance and rapid response capabilities to ensure comprehensive coverage of the affected areas.

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Dena Disaster Recovery Forum on Thursday to Aid Altadenans and Pasadenans in Rebuilding Efforts

A comprehensive Dena Disaster Recovery Forum is scheduled to take place this Thursday, January 23, to support Altadena and Pasadena residents affected by the recent Eaton Fire disaster. The event aims to connect local officials, housing experts, and mental health professionals with community members in need of guidance and resources for recovery and rebuilding.

Organized by the Women’s Council of Consolidated Realty Board and Lincoln Avenue Christian Church Pastor – Teacher Wayne Cooper and First Lady Constance Cooper, the forum will be held at Lincoln Avenue Christian Church, located at 1180 Lincoln Avenue in Pasadena, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

“Really, it’s about bringing vital information to the community,” said Letrice Barge, Broker-Owner of The Langley Stone Group, Inc. and President of the Women’s Council of Consolidated Realty Board. “We’re going to be discussing next steps for disaster recovery, insurance, FEMA, rebuilding our community, and so much more.”

The forum will feature representatives from FEMA, offering critical insights into recovery, including insurance claims,

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Town Council to Convene First Meeting Since Fire Destroyed Much of Altadena

In its first public gathering since the catastrophic Eaton wildfire devastated much of Altadena, the Altadena Town Council will convene virtually Tuesday evening to address community health and safety and the path toward recovery.

The meeting will come as firefighters have reached 89 percent containment of the blaze that erupted on January 7 above Eaton Canyon, destroying more than 7,000 structures and claiming at least 17 civilian lives.

The Council encouraged residents to join via Zoom or watch on Pasadena Media’s YouTube channel.

The meeting is scheduled to open at 7 p.m. with updates on Council activities and initiatives from Chairperson Victoria Knapp.

Public safety reports will follow, with Captain Jabari Williams from the Altadena Sheriff’s Station providing updates. Los Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Pat Sprengel will also speak.

Special presentations will include Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Kathryn Barger discussing County initiatives to support and help Altadena rebuild.

Pasadena Public Works Director Mark Pestrella will discuss ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects.  

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Newsom Issues Order to Help Protect Fire-Affected Areas During Rain

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Monday to expedite debris removal and prevent debris flows in wildfire-affected areas ahead of expected rainfall.

The firestorms have left debris and burn scars across Los Angeles’ landscape, posing a safety concern in light of rainfall that forecasts show is on the way. As burn scars do not absorb water at normal rates, they create a risk for mudslides, landslides, flash floods and debris flows.

The order will help mitigate the risk and protect communities by hastening efforts to remove debris, bolster flood defenses and stabilize hillsides in affected areas, Newsom said.

“As work continues to fight fires across Los Angeles County, the state is already working to prepare for the damage that can happen when winter rainstorms hit burn scars, causing landslides and flooding,” the governor said in a statement. “This order helps keep our emergency response focused on protecting communities, not permits and paperwork.”

Among other items,

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

District Eschewed Online Learning Due to Uncertainty Over Devices

By André Coleman, Managing Editor

The District did not revert to online learning after the Eaton Fire destroyed thousands of homes and several schools in Altadena because District officials do not know how many devices were destroyed in the fire, according to Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco.

“We don’t know how many teachers and students lost devices,” Blanco said in a virtual meeting.

The District announced a phased reopening of local schools beginning with the 10 schools furthest away from ground zero of the fire.

Blanco said that in order to revert to distance learning, the employees working to reopen schools would have to be used to get online learning up and running.

“That would have to divert their attention to gear up for online learning and it might create complete chaos because of the loss of devices,” she said.

The District has ordered 5,000 Chromebooks to make up for devices lost in the blaze. The fire has burned 14,000 acres and left thousands of students and teachers displaced.

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

The Armenian Community Responds to the Eaton Wildfire

By EDDIE RIVERA

Given the sheer number of homes, families and lives affected by the Eaton Fire, which is now close to containment, the Eaton Fire has drawn a community response clearly as strong as the fire itself.

In the Southern California Armenian community, the second-largest in the world, response to those in need has been overwhelming, as more than 100 Armenian families lost their homes.

The Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Christian School in Altadena was completely destroyed on the first night of the fire, except for its khachkar / cross stone. In fact, the feeling is strong within the Armenian community that the same type of khachkar / cross stone at the Tekeyan Cultural Association (TCA) Beshgeturian Center—which was dedicated in June—protected that building.

The Sahag-Mesrob school  has relocated temporarily to the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) in Pasadena.

“About 16 of our families have lost their homes,” said Sahag-Mesrob Principal Maral Aroyan-Boyadjian. “A lot of them are still evacuated.

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Gas Prices Rise

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County dropped one-tenth of a cent Tuesday to $4.496, a day after rising three-tenths of a cent.

The average price is 4.9 cents more than one week ago and 11.6 cents more than one month ago, but 6.9 cents less than one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It has dropped $1.998 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.

The national average price rose one-tenth of a cent to $3.126, a day after rising a half-cent. It rose for the seventh time in eight days and is 5.5 cents more than one week ago, 8 cents more than one month ago, and 4.8 cents more than one year ago.

The national average price has dropped $1.89 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Eaton Fire 89% Contained as All Areas Opened for Returns

CITY NEWS SERVICE

With containment of the Eaton Fire at 89%, Los Angeles County announced that all Altadena communities are now open for residents to return while a new wind event was moving into the Southland that could further challenge firefighters or spark new blazes Tuesday.

In a post on social media, the county Monday afternoon said that, while all residents evacuated from the Altadena area my now return, 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 the 89% level Monday with firefighters using water-dropping helicopters to extinguish hot spots in steep, inaccessible canyons near Winters Creek, Mt. Lowe and Mt. Wilson, as a new wind event moved into the region.

Meanwhile, another Santa Ana wind event moved into the area, with high winds expected into Tuesday, creating a high risk for critical fire weather conditions and rapid fire spread of any new fires.