Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Pasadena Community Foundation Launches Fire Relief Fund

STAFF REPORT

Longtime local nonprofit the Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) has established an emergency response fund to assist those affected by the Eaton Canyon fire. The foundation announced the creation of the “Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund,” seeding it with an initial $100,000 to address community needs.

“We have all been glued to the news watching the devastation of the Eaton Canyon fire to our neighbors. My heart goes out to all who have been impacted by this disaster,” said Jennifer DeVoll, President and CEO of the Pasadena Community Foundation.

The fund “will provide an opportunity for those who want to support immediate and longer term needs,” according to the foundation’s announcement. PCF emphasized that “100% of contributions will provide essential relief.”

The foundation, which serves as “a vital resource for the greater Pasadena area in California,” has operated since 1953. It has “evolved into a nonprofit public benefit corporation dedicated to improving the lives of people in the Pasadena community,

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Pasadena Unified Closes All Schools For Rest of Week

Evacuations impact District Service Center, disrupt meal programs amid Eaton fire crisis.

The Pasadena Unified School District announced that all schools will remain closed for the remainder of the week due to the ongoing impact of the devastating Eaton fire and mandatory evacuations.

This morning, District officials were briefed by the City of Pasadena Emergency Operations Center regarding the fire’s progress and its continuing impact on the community.

“With so many students, staff, and families affected by the devastating Eaton fire and mandatory evacuations, we know this is an overwhelming and difficult time for everyone. Our hearts are broken for everything that our beloved community is enduring. But we know that our community is strong, and together, we will get through this,” Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco said in a statement to the PUSD community.

The District Service Center, where school meals are stored, is under mandatory evacuation, leading to the suspension of Grab-and-Go meal centers until further notice.

District officials are working with the city to find resources for affected families.

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

National Weather Service: High Winds Will Continue Much of Wednesday

NWS forecasters said fierce winds and gusts will continue in Pasadena today, predicting the core of the low-level jet stream will move southward during the day, gradually reducing wind speeds.

However, they caution that winds will remain at warning levels until early evening, with a notable decrease expected late morning.

“Widespread damaging north to northeast winds and extreme fire weather conditions will continue through mid-afternoon,” the weather service said.

Despite the intense winds, Wednesday will be sunny with a high near 70 degrees.

Evening conditions are expected to improve, with mostly clear skies and temperatures dropping to around 45 degrees. Wind speeds will decrease to 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph.

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Eaton Fire Rampages Through Altadena and Pasadena Burning Dozens of Homes, Forcing Massive Evacuations

1,000 acres burned so far

[Updated]  The fast-moving Eaton Fire continues to rage in Altadena and Pasadena on Wednesday morning, forcing widespread evacuations and school closures while destroying an unknown number of homes and other structures. 

The Eaton Fire was reported at about 6:20 p.m. in the area of Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in the hills above Altadena, according to Cal Fire.

One of the structures that was destroyed in the fire was the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, NBC4 reported.

Initially dubbed the Close Fire but later changed to the Eaton Fire, the blaze was initially estimated at about 10 acres, but it quickly exploded across 200 acres, then to 400 acres by 8 p.m. Tuesday, driven by Santa Ana winds that prompted critical fire danger warnings throughout the region. As of 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Cal Fire reported the fire was 2,227 acres and was 0% contained.

The fire expanded rapidly during the late night and early morning hours —

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted for the Eaton Fire

STAFF REPORT

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region 9 Administrator authorized the use of federal funds on January 7 at 9:00 p.m. to assist the state in combating the Eaton Fire, currently burning in Los Angeles County.

On January 7, the State of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire was threatening approximately 8,200 homes in and around Altadena and Pasadena, California, population 40,000.

The fire started on January 7, and has burned in excess of 300 acres of state and private land.

FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to become major incidents.

Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire. For more information on FMAGs,

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Hellish Wednesday Dawns in Altadena and Pasadena

The Eaton Fire destroyed dozens of homes as thousands evacuate

Pasadena and Altadena suffered a hellish night of loss and fear as fierce winds pushed fires into residential neighborhoods and burned dozens of homes.

Houses of worship were not spared by the flames, which have now consumed 1,000 acres. The Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center was badly burned.

Thousands were ordered to evacuate, many of whom headed towards the Pasadena Convention Center, which was designated as an evacuation center. Some reportedly refused to leave their burning neighborhoods before police required them to do so.

Late Tuesday afternoon winds crescendoed and sparked a large number of fires, at one point igniting a dozen fires around Pasadena in less than 1 hour.

Now dawn is approaching and the full devastation will soon be in sunlight. This was a night many feared might someday happen, but most never believed it could.

On Wednesday, winds will continue to incite the Eaton Canyon flames,

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Fires, Windstorm Force Suspension of Transit Services in Pasadena

Pasadena Transit announced Wednesday the suspension of all public transportation services due to severe weather conditions.

The transit agency confirmed that both regular bus routes and Dial-A-Ride services would cease operations on January 8, with essential medical transportation being the sole exception.

“Pasadena Transit and Dial-A-Ride (except essential medical trips, if conditions allow) are suspended Wednesday January 8, 2025 due to hazardous windstorm event,” Pasadena Transit announced.

The agency indicated that regular service could potentially resume on Thursday, January 9, depending on weather conditions.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Pasadena Unified School District Schools Will Be Closed Wednesday

The Pasadena Unified School District announced Tuesday night that all schools will close Wednesday.

Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco, Ed.D., made the announcement, citing the need to evaluate and repair storm damage across district campuses.

“The safety of our community is our top priority,” Blanco said in a statement to district families. “With the volatility of the high-wind event affecting our area, increasing reports of wind damage, and a fire near Eaton Canyon, in an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to close all schools.”

The closure comes as city officials consider declaring a state of emergency due to weather impacts.

The district will continue monitoring conditions before making a decision about reopening schools. Officials plan to update families on January 8 about the status of schools.

To ensure students who depend on school meals don’t go hungry, the district will provide grab-and-go meals at three locations.

Families can pick up food between 10 a.m. and noon Wednesday at Madison Elementary,

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Brush Fire Erupts in Eaton Canyon in Hills Above Altadena

CITY NEWS SERVICE

[7:18 p.m.] A brush fire erupted Tuesday evening in the Eaton Canyon area, with flames fanned by gusting Santa Ana winds.

The fire was reported at about 6:20 p.m. in the area of Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in the hills above Altadena, according to Cal Fire.

Initially dubbed the Close Fire but later changed to the Eaton Fire, the blaze was initially estimated at about 10 acres, but it quickly exploded across 200 acres thanks to Santa Ana winds that prompted critical fire danger warnings throughout the region.

Angeles National Forest officials said evacuations were under way, but it was unclear how many people were impacted.

The fire broke out as emergency crews were already stretched thin due to a massive blaze burning in the Pacific Palisades area.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Firefighters Battle Dozen Fires Amid Windy Conditions in Pasadena Area

STAFF REPORT

Pasadena firefighters responded to 12 separate fires within a 50-minute period Wednesday, as gusty conditions complicated firefighting efforts across the city and neighboring South Pasadena.

The fires included five vegetation blazes, four outside fires, two residential structure fires, and one traffic collision requiring expanded response, according to Fire Department dispatch records.

Two of the vegetation fires were confirmed as significant incidents, with one located in the 2100 block of Canyon Close Road in Pasadena and another in the 1500 block of Santa Teresa in South Pasadena. Both required multiple fire units for response.

The residential structure fires occurred near Asbury Drive and Sinaloa Avenue, and at North Martelo Avenue and Casa Grande Street, drawing substantial firefighting resources to both locations.

Additional outside fires were reported at major intersections including North San Gabriel Boulevard and East Colorado Boulevard, Highland Street and Santa Rosa Avenue, and North Hill Avenue and East Washington Boulevard.

The rapid succession of incidents within a concentrated time frame tested the Department’s resource allocation capabilities,