Thursday, January 30, 2025

SBA Sets March Deadline for Eaton Fire Disaster Loans

Local businesses have until March 10 to apply for physical damage assistance, while economic injury applications will continue through October

The Small Business Administration has approved nearly $240 million in disaster assistance loans for Los Angeles County residents and businesses affected by recent fires, with officials urging affected parties to apply before key deadlines expire. Physical damage loan applications must be submitted by March 10, while economic injury applications will be accepted through October 8.

“We want to make sure the businesses can cashflow additional debt, but yes, you certainly can apply for additional assistance and any of the programs,” said Julie Clowes, Small Business Administration District director for Los Angeles.

The Small Business Administration has received almost 11,000 completed applications and approved approximately 800 loans so far. Business owners can apply for up to $2 million in physical damage loans and additional working capital through Economic Injury Disaster Loans, even if they haven’t experienced direct property damage.

A survey of Pasadena’s 14,000 licensed businesses reportedly revealed that 75% had to close temporarily due to the emergency,

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Event Will Help Small Businesses Owners Rebuild After Eaton Blaze

Small Business Administration representsatives will talk federal disaster assistance guidance

In a focused effort to help local businesses devastated by the Eaton Fire, Representative Judy Chu will host a recovery assistance event next week at a Pasadena church, her office announced.

The four-hour gathering, scheduled for Monday, February 3, will connect affected business owners with Small Business Administration advisors for personalized consultations about disaster relief resources.

“Rep. Judy Chu’s small business fire recovery event will provide small businesses affected or destroyed by the Eaton Fire with information on available disaster assistance,” according to the event announcement.

The session will take place at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Pasadena from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering one-on-one meetings with federal assistance experts.

The program will begin with an overview of disaster assistance available through the Small Business Administration, followed by one-on-one consultations for interested business owners.

The event is being held in partnership with the Altadena Chamber of Commerce and United States Small Business Administration.

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Federal, State Electeds Convene “Rebuilding Together” Town Hall Today

Will focus on debris removal and other important Eaton Fire recovery matters

State and federal lawmakers are joining forces to help Pasadena-area residents navigate recovery resources and debris removal in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire with an informative meeting in Pasadena today.

In a “Dear Neighbor” letter, State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28), and State Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) announced a town hall meeting set for today, Thursday,  Jan. 30, to provide guidance on available assistance programs.

“The Town Hall will focus on navigating available resources during the recovery process, as well as debris removal and safety practices for cleanup related to Eaton Fire damage,” State Senator Pérez wrote in the letter.

The event, titled “Rebuilding Together: Navigating Recovery Resources & Debris Removal,” will take place at Pasadena City College’s Creveling Lounge, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Government officials will deliver presentations about recovery resources and debris removal safety practices,

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

White House Rescinds Order to Freeze $3 Trillion in Federal Grants and Loans

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

One day a judge instituted a temporary restraining order blocking the implementation of a freeze on $3 trillion in federal grant funding and loans, the White House Office of Management and Budget has rescinded the federal aid freeze, CNN reported on Wednesday.

“OMB Memorandum M-25-13 is rescinded. If you have questions about implementing the President’s Executive Orders, please contact your agency General Counsel,” according to a memo obtained by that network.

Pasadena city officials, and officials across the nation, endured a chaotic and hectic period after receiving the directive from the OMB, as local governments scrambled to understand its implications for their federal funding streams.

At Monday’s City Council meeting Councilmember Rick Cole said the City “was at risk of $60 million worth of federal money being yanked should the current administration make good on its threats already in writing to us.”

On Wednesday, the White House said the freeze was not as sweeping an order as it appeared.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Los Angeles County Approves Comprehensive Recovery Plan for January Wildfires

Board of Supervisors pledges swift aid and streamlined processes for residents and businesses affected by devastating Eaton and Palisades fires

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted a comprehensive plan earlier this week to assist thousands affected by the catastrophic January 2025 wildfires.

The plan, authored through a motion by Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger and Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, establishes a framework for both immediate response and long-term preparedness.

“The devastation caused by the January 2025 wildfires has been catastrophic, but I am unwavering in my commitment to rebuild quickly and robustly,” Barger said in a statement. “This motion is not simply about immediate recovery. It’s about creating a more resilient and equitable future for all of our communities.”

The recovery framework prioritizes vulnerable populations and implements innovative strategies to address financial barriers, including mandatory waivers and assistance for building code modifications.

“This motion aligns the extensive expertise of Los Angeles County departments to our mission: a safe,

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Right of Entry Forms Now Available

Form is available online or in-person at Disaster Recovery Centers

Los Angeles County launched online availability of the Right of Entry form for the free debris removal program available to residents affected by the recent Eaton Fire.

To participate in the program, residents must complete the Right of Entry form, which is now available to download or complete online at recovery.lacounty.gov/debris-removal and at Disaster Recovery Centers.

Residents can call the Fire Debris Hotline with questions, or if they need help filling out the form at: 844-347-3332. In-person assistance also is available at the Disaster Recovery Centers open 9 AM to 8 PM.

The Right of Entry form is part of Phase 2 of the debris removal program where residents can Opt-In for free nonhazardous debris removal by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or residents can Opt-Out. Currently underway is Phase 1 of the debris removal program,

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Local Congresswoman Co-Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Enhance Wildfire Detection

In response to deadly wildfires across Southern California, U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents Pasadena, and two other California representatives, introduced legislation Monday to strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s capabilities in detecting and forecasting wildfires.

The Fire Information and Reaction Enhancement (FIRE) Act, introduced by Chu and co-sponsored by Representatives Young Kim (CA District 40) and Julia Brownley (District 26), directs the NOAA to focus its assets on wildfire management and rapidly share critical information with land managers and firefighters.

The Eaton Fire, which has swept through Altadena and northern Pasadena in Chu’s District, has destroyed more than 9,500 structures and left 20,000 people homeless.

“The Southern California wildfires this month are on track to become one of the costliest and devastating natural disasters in our country’s history,” Chu said. “As climate change causes longer, more severe fire seasons in California each year, we need to leverage all the tools at our disposal to keep communities safe.”

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Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Getty Trust Launches Growing $12 Million Emergency Fund for Los Angeles Artists Affected by Wildfires

Coalition of major arts organizations mobilizes support for creative community devastated by unprecedented Eaton and Palisades crisis

A powerful alliance of arts organizations and philanthropists, spearheaded by the J. Paul Getty Trust, has launched an initial $12 million emergency relief fund that continues to grow.

The Los Angeles Arts Community Fire Relief Fund unites the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art through the Mohn Art Collective, alongside East West Bank, the Mellon Foundation, and Ford Foundation in helping survivors of the Eaton and Palisades crisis.

The Center for Cultural Innovation, a longstanding intermediary providing funding, advocacy, and research support, began to administer grants to affected artists through cciarts.org on January 20.

“People around the world are watching in horror as vast areas of Los Angeles burn, but this regional tragedy has global cultural repercussions,” said Katherine E. Fleming, President and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust.

The initiative has drawn support from over two dozen major donors,

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Cooler Weather Dominates as Fires Near Full Containment

CITY NEWS SERVICE

With the Los Angeles area’s major wildfires all nearing full containment Wednesday, cooler and drier weather will dominate for the next few days — with no signs of any immediate return of dangerous Santa Ana wind conditions or precipitation that could spark debris flows.

National Weather Service forecasters said Tuesday’s high temperatures will be about 3 to 6 degrees below normal, followed by “chilly” overnight temperatures into Wednesday, possibly meaning more frost or freeze warnings in some areas.

Cooler temperatures “will remain over the next several days with daytime temperatures remaining below normal for this time of year,” according to the NWS.

A warming trend is anticipated by the weekend, pushing temperatures back into the 70s for most coastal and valley areas, thanks to a “weak offshore flow” between Saturday and Monday.

Forecasters said there is a potential for some rain by the middle of next week, but it was still too early if it will actually develop and how strong the system might be.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Eaton Fire Nears Full Containment; Evacuation Centers Remain Open

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The deadly Eaton Fire in the Pasadena and Altadena areas is almost fully contained Wednesday, and fears of flooding or debris flows from weekend rains are easing as the storm system moved off to the east.

The Eaton Fire has burned 14,021 acres in Altadena and Pasadena since Jan. 7, leaving at least 17 people dead, according to Cal Fire. Nine firefighters were injured battling the blaze. It has destroyed 9,418 structures and damaged another 1,073. The fire was 99% contained as of Wednesday.

An evacuation center remained open at the Pasadena Convention Center at 300 E. Green St., although all evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted.

Southern California Edison reported that service has been restored to 12,422 structures, with 6,961 remaining without power.

SoCalGas officials temporarily shut off natural gas service to thousands of customers in the Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre communities as a safety measure. As of Tuesday, the utility had restored service to 7,188 of them.