Friday, January 10, 2025

LA County to Crack Down on Price Gouging Amid Fire Emergencies

CITY NEWS SERVICE

As firefighters battle several fires ravaging the Southland, L.A. County officials Friday warned businesses against the illegal practice of price gouging and urged residents to report suspected violations.

Under California law, price gouging during a declared emergency is a serious offense. Businesses are prohibited from raising prices on essential goods and services, including hotel rooms, rental housing and some supplies by more than 10% during an emergency.

Price-gouging protections remain in effect for 30 days following an emergency declaration. For contractor-related services, protections extend up to 180 days.

Business owners and operators must maintain detailed records of pricing before, during and after a declared emergency, according to the county Department of Consumer and Business Affairs.

Violations can result in fines up to $10,000, one year in jail, or both.

“Los Angeles County residents should not have to be burdened with price hikes by unscrupulous businesses when they are already dealing with the disruption and stress of life-threatening emergencies,”

Friday, January 10, 2025

Big Bear Offers Housing through Airbnb Program for LA Evacuees

CITY NEWS SERVICE

More than 1,000 homes in Big Bear Valley are available under a temporary housing program organized by Airbnb for Los Angeles residents displaced by the fires ravaging the region, it was announced Thursday.

Airbnb has partnered with the nonprofit information and referral service 211 LA to connect people with a free place to stay. More information is available at 211la.org. Stays are discounted or completely free for guests, and are funded by Airbnb and home-sharing hosts.

Big Bear has been certified as an evacuation housing center as part of the program, according to Visit Big Bear CEO Travis Scott.

Temporary housing has been set up to assist evacuees and those who have lost their homes. Details are available at BigBear.com.

In addition to lodging assistance, Big Bear Mountain Resort is offering four $25 dining vouchers that can be used at any of Snow Summit or Bear Mountain’s on-site eateries.

Friday, January 10, 2025

Deadly Eaton Canyon Fire Expands, Threatens Mount Wilson

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Eaton Fire that has caused multiple deaths and destroyed or damaged thousands of structures remained 0% contained Friday despite Santa Ana wind conditions diminishing slightly in many areas.

However, gusty conditions persisted on the mountaintop Thursday, hampering aerial firefighting efforts as flames crawled through treetops and thick vegetation toward the peak of Mount Wilson, threatening the observatory and a series of broadcast towers critical for local television and radio outlets.

Sheriff’s officials called for immediate evacuations of any people on the mountain. Authorities said at an afternoon briefing that none of the major infrastructure on the mountain had been damaged despite the encroaching flames.

The Eaton Fire was reported at about 6:20 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in the hills above Altadena amid hurricane-force Santa Ana winds, according to Cal Fire. Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said Thursday morning the spread of the fire had been significantly slowed in most areas thanks to efforts of firefighters and diminishing winds.

Friday, January 10, 2025

California National Guard Deploys to Secure Fire Areas

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Hundreds of members of the California National Guard were deployed to the Los Angeles area Thursday to assist with law enforcement duties around the array of wildfires burning in the region.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said roughly 400 members of the Guard would be stationed around the region to help with traffic control and to restrict entry into the fire zones. He announced earlier in the day that 20 people had been arrested on suspicion of looting in the various burn areas.

Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed late Thursday that he had approved the National Guard deployment.

“Thanks to the incredible work of our first responders and emergency personnel, we’re throwing everything at our disposal — including our National Guard servicemembers — to protect communities in the days to come,” Newsom said in a statement. “And to those who would seek to take advantage of evacuated communities, let me be clear: looting will not be tolerated.”

Friday, January 10, 2025

Pasadena Public Health Suggests Steps to Prevent Inhaling Smoke and Ash From Eaton Fire

STAFF REPORT

As part of the response to the Eaton Fire, Pasadena Public Health Department urges residents affected by wildfire smoke to take steps to protect their health by staying indoors and avoiding outside activity, if possible, to prevent the inhalation of smoke and ash.

Smoke and ash from wildfires can be unhealthy, particularly for vulnerable people such as older adults, children, individuals with respiratory illnesses or asthma, and pregnant people. Wildfire smoke contains fine particles which are respiratory irritants, and when inhaled deeply, can affect the lungs and the heart. Exposure to high concentrations of fine particles can cause persistent cough, runny nose, phlegm, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Urban wildfires can lead to potentially greater risks to health because they often release more toxic pollutants, due to the burning of synthetic materials like plastics and metals found in buildings.

Smoke from wildfires can also cause eye irritation, reduced lung function, and bronchitis. Breathing smoke can also make asthma symptoms worse. People with underlying lung or heart problems should limit their exposure by staying indoors.

Friday, January 10, 2025

Relatives ID Some Victims of Eaton Fire in Altadena

CITY NEWS SERVICE

While the death toll from the various wildfires ravaging parts of the Los Angeles area remained unclear Thursday, relatives of four people who died in the Eaton Fire near Altadena and Pasadena paid tribute to their lost loved ones.

One of the people who died was identified by his daughter as Rodney Nickerson, 82, of Altadena. His daughter Kimiko told NBC4 that her father died in his bed while he was home
alone at 352 Alta Pine Drive. She said her father bought the house in 1968 and she was raised there.

She described her dad as “funny, the life of the party,” adding that he “loved sports, people, (and was a) very intelligent man. He loved to read.”

Relatives said Nickerson’s son tried to get Rodney to evacuate, but he refused.

Friday, January 10, 2025

In Wake of Local Fires, YMCA of Pasadena City College and Metropolitan Los Angeles Join Forces to Help Community in Need

Courtesy of YMCA Metropolitan Los Angeles

The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles and Pasadena City College have partnered to distribute free essential supplies to community members impacted by local fires.

The distribution is taking place Thursday, January 9, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, January 10, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the Colorado campus of Pasadena City College in Lot 3 (near the corner of Del Mar Boulevard and Hill Avenue). The public is welcome.

Items available for distribution include pre-packaged snacks, water, hygiene kits, baby supplies, pet food, and clothing.

“There is tremendous need in our community right now,” said Pasadena City College Superintendent-President José A. Gómez. “We want to do everything we can to help those who are suffering. We care deeply about our neighbors and our community.”

Victor Dominguez, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, said the organization has a 142-year tradition of serving Los Angeles and is working to “rebuild,

Friday, January 10, 2025

PUSD Launches Drive-Through Meal Service At Three School Sites on Friday

STAFF REPORT

The Pasadena Unified School District is launching a new drive-through meal distribution program starting Friday, January 10.

The initiative results from distribution problems caused by the Eaton Fire. ,

Organized by PUSD’s Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) the program will provide breakfast and lunch to all district families at three designated district-wide school hub locations.

“We are here to support you and your family and we will continue to share resources as the information becomes available,” said Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco and Food and Nutrition Services Director Elizabeth Powell.

Here are the School Hubs that will offer the meals:

McKinley School
325 S. Oak Knoll Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101

Madison Elementary
515 Ashtabula St.
Pasadena, CA 91104

Field Elementary
3600 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107

The district emphasizes that meals are for pick-up only and cannot be consumed on site.

Parents and guardians are instructed to remain in their vehicles during pickup,

Friday, January 10, 2025

Board of Supervisors Chair Barger, Sheriff Luna Announce County Will Call National Guard and Implement Curfews to Combat Looting

STAFF REPORT

To protect residents who have been displaced by wildfires, Board of Supervisors Chair Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Sheriff Robert G. Luna announced today that they requested the support of the California National Guard and will be implementing curfew hours to keep looters at bay.

“Residents who’ve evacuated have faced unimaginable devastation, displacement, and loss,” Chair Kathryn Barger said. “We must stand up against opportunistic people who want to prey on these victims. Los Angeles County will not stand by and allow an already traumatic experience to be further compounded.”

As of Thursday afternoon, the Sheriff’s Department had arrested 20 people for looting. The Sheriff said local law enforcement has been working around the clock to protect residents’ property and the 400 National Guard members who will be deployed will expand the efforts already underway.

The National Guard is expected to deploy as early as Thursday evening and will be helping local law enforcement with traffic control and critical infrastructure protection.

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Supervisor Barger Urges Residents Affected by Wildfires to Access FEMA Resources

STAFF REPORT

As thousands of residents in Los Angeles County suffer from devastation and displacement as a result of several wildfires, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Supervisor Kathryn Barger has urged residents to take advantage of the FEMA resources available to them.

“Residents affected by the Eaton Fire, Palisades Fire, and others have had their lives completely upended,” Chair Barger said. “We are working with our federal partners to draw down every resource available to ensure our residents can recover and rebuild as soon as possible. I encourage our neighbors to get a jumpstart on the process to begin receiving support as early as they can.”

President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration on Jan. 8 to supplement recovery efforts and allow residents to draw down funding to address their disaster-related needs. Funding can pay for essential items like food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, medications, and other emergency supplies.

Additionally, funds can help with housing needs such as temporary hotel stays,