Thursday, July 31, 2025

Debris Cleared From Nearly 99% of Properties Affected by Eaton Fire

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Crews have removed nearly 99 percent of ash and debris from properties damaged in the deadly Eaton Fire, Los Angeles County officials announced this week, marking a major milestone in recovery efforts seven months after the blaze swept through Altadena and nearby areas.

As of this week, 5,527 properties—about 98.6 percent of those enrolled in the County-run debris removal program—have been cleared, according to officials. Of the 5,604 enrolled, just over 500 property owners declined to join. Officials also said 5,471 properties, or 97.1 percent, have had their rights-of-entry returned, allowing rebuilding to start.

The January fire killed 19 people, destroyed more than 9,000 structures and burned over 14,000 acres in the San Gabriel Mountains foothills, making it among the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles County history. Thousands of residents fled as flames swept into neighborhoods in Altadena and northeast Pasadena.

This week’s update, delivered July 28 by Col. Sonny Avichal—who has supervised debris operations—marked his final briefing as he prepares to hand over command to a successor.

Thursday, July 31, 2025

LA County Fire Chief Defends Eaton Fire Response

After an LA Times investigation reported that just one fire truck was stationed in West Altadena during the early hours of Jan. 7 when the devastating Eaton Fire broke out, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Maroney responded Monday with a recorded message to victims and survivors, defending his department’s actions and pledging transparency.

The January fire, the deadliest in Los Angeles County history, killed 19 people and forced thousands to evacuate Altadena, northeast Pasadena and surrounding unincorporated areas.

The report, based on vehicle tracking data, found more than 100 engines deployed elsewhere as flames swept into the predominantly Black and Latino foothill community.

Forty engines were battling the Palisades Fire miles away, and another 64 were concentrated in East Altadena and neighboring areas.

West Altadena, where 18 of the 19 fatalities occurred, was left largely unprotected as thousands of homes and structures burned.

During his statement at Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s weekly community meeting, Maroney did not say how many fire trucks were in West Pasadena.

Thursday, July 31, 2025

Supervisor Barger Applauds Newsom’s Executive Order Restoring Local Authority in Fire-Prone Zones

Supervisor Kathryn Barger on Wednesday commended Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order that strengthens local control over land use decisions in California’s high fire severity zones, calling it a critical step toward balancing housing expansion with public safety. 

“I appreciate Governor Newsom’s executive order today, which restores local control over important land use matters, like SB 9, in high fire severity zones,” Barger said in a statement. 

Senate Bill 9, along with other state housing legislation, allows property owners to split lots and build additional units on parcels zoned for single-family homes. While the law aims to increase housing density statewide, Barger cautioned against its rapid implementation in fire-prone areas. 

“SB 9, like other state housing legislation, was intended to support thoughtful, phased-in development—not immediate implementation in the wake of a major disaster,” she said. “Empowering local jurisdictions to make reasonable decisions about development patterns in wildfire-prone areas is a smart and necessary step.”

Barger highlighted that adequate infrastructure and fire mitigation measures must precede any efforts to increase housing density in these high-risk regions. 

Thursday, July 31, 2025

Los Angeles County Supervisors to Address Tenant Cooling Rights, Consider Continuing County Emergency Declarations

County board set to tackle critical housing, health, and emergency service issues

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will convene on Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m. in the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration to address a range of critical county matters, with significant focus on tenant protections and emergency services.

A landmark agenda item proposes establishing indoor temperature regulations for rental housing.

The proposed ordinance would require rental units in unincorporated areas to maintain indoor temperatures no higher than 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

The regulation includes provisions allowing tenants to implement additional cooling methods and protects them from eviction related to code-compliant cooling practices.

The board will also consider continuing multiple local emergency declarations, including those related to windstorms, fire events, and various natural disasters from recent years.

These ongoing declarations enable the county to maintain flexibility in responding to emergency conditions.

Public health initiatives feature prominently, including a recommendation by Hilda Solis to strengthen support for community health workers,

Thursday, July 31, 2025

Altadena Included in Fire Zone Exemption from State Housing Law

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday issued an executive order exempting fire-ravaged areas of Los Angeles County — including sections of Altadena — from Senate Bill 9, a controversial state law that allows the construction of up to four housing units on lots previously zoned for single-family residences.

The temporary exemption comes as communities across the region assess damage from January’s devastating wildfires.

Newsom’s order permits local governments to suspend SB 9 provisions in burn zones, giving municipalities more discretion over rebuilding efforts. Areas named in the exemption include Pacific Palisades, parts of Malibu and Altadena — all of which fall within high fire hazard severity zones.

“This executive order responds directly to requests from local officials and community feedback, recognizing the need for local discretion in recovery,” Newsom stated in a press release issued Wednesday. “Not all laws are designed for rebuilding entire communities destroyed by fires overnight.”

The order is effective for the duration of Newsom’s declared state of emergency in Los Angeles County and initiates a seven-day pause on SB 9-related development in affected neighborhoods,

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

LA County Again Extends Price Gouging Protections on Housing

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday extending price-gouging protections on local rental housing through Aug. 30 in accordance with an emergency declaration sparked by January’s wildfires.

On Jan. 7, a state of emergency was declared in the county following the windstorm and deadly wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, activating price gouging protections that barred price hikes of 10% or more on critical goods and services, including housing.

While the declaration remains in effect, the county can continue to extend the protections every 30 days.

“Seven months in, our residents still need protection from predatory practices that make housing even more unaffordable and unattainable in these times of crisis,” Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath said in a statement after Tuesday’s vote. “By extending these protections, we’re helping ensure that every family has the chance to rebuild without fear of being priced out. If you suspect price gouging, report it to our Department of Consumer and Business Affairs so we can hold these bad actors accountable.”

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

West Nile Virus Returns to San Gabriel Valley

First mosquito sample of season tests positive in El Monte as officials urge prevention measures

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District detected West Nile virus in mosquitoes for the first time this year, after officials collected the positive sample from a surveillance trap in El Monte, roughly 11 miles south of Pasadena.

The discovery marks the seasonal return of the virus to the region.

West Nile virus appears annually in the San Gabriel Valley during warmer months.

“West Nile virus is a recurring concern in our region,” said Tristan Hallum, director of scientific programs for the district.

“It’s endemic to the San Gabriel Valley, meaning we expect to detect it every year in mosquitoes, birds, and occasionally humans.”

Higher overnight temperatures during summer accelerate mosquito breeding and viral transmission.

“There is no vaccine or cure for West Nile virus in humans,” Hallum said. “The best method of protection is prevention.”

Most people infected with West Nile virus show no symptoms.

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Trade Show for Fire Survivors This Weekend

Event aims to help families displaced by Eaton Fire explore rebuilding options

Fire survivors in Altadena will have access to rebuilding resources at a community trade show this weekend.

The Altadena Rebuild Trade Show will take place Sunday, Aug. 3, at Loma Alta Park Gymnasium. The free event runs from noon to 4 p.m.

Multiple community organizations are hosting the trade show for families displaced by the Eaton Fire. Attendees can examine building materials, architectural displays and design concepts.

The event differs from typical information fairs. Visitors will be able to touch and see physical rebuilding solutions rather than just read about them.

Day One is organizing the trade show. The group aims to provide hope and confidence to residents facing post-disaster recovery challenges.

The event will showcase affordable rebuilding options and fire hardening techniques. Long-term recovery support and expert guidance will also be available.

Eight local organizations are partnering for the event: the Altadena Rotary Club,

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

LA County Board to Receive Weekly Budget Updates Amid Fiscal Crisis

New standing agenda item aims to boost transparency as county faces multi-billion-dollar pressures

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will begin receiving weekly budget updates during regular meetings as the county grapples with severe fiscal challenges.

Board Chair Kathryn Barger announced the new standing agenda item Tuesday. Chief Executive Officer Fesia Davenport will deliver the weekly reports.

The updates will provide real-time information about the county’s financial condition and will also address the impacts of potential spending cuts.

“Understanding the County’s financial standing in real time is critical for us to make responsible, informed decisions,” Barger said.

The supervisor said the weekly briefings would keep both board members and the public informed about fiscal realities. She emphasized the county’s commitment to transparency during difficult financial times.

Los Angeles County faces multi-billion-dollar budget pressures from several sources. Recovery costs from January wildfires have exceeded $1 billion. The county also faces a $4 billion AB 218 settlement.

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Altadena Residents Seal Prayers Into Mural Layers After Devastating Wildfires

Behind a vegan café in fire-scarred Altadena, residents spent four days in July embedding their personal prayers between layers of paint on a new community mural—a ritual act of recovery that brought together a war survivor artist and a neighborhood still grappling with displacement.

The mural, titled “Prayer for the Earth,” emerged from an unlikely collaboration. John Hopkins, a 70-something café owner who has long used his former Oh Happy Day Vegan Café space for spiritual gatherings, invited artist Ekaterina Sky to create the work. Sky, who survived two wars, said she approached the project “as someone who deeply identifies with the Altadena community’s experience of disruption and resilience.”

The project, organized by Oh Happy Day founders John Hopkins and Sev Dhar, invited Altadena residents, volunteers and nonprofit groups to participate.

Over four days ending July 27, participants helped build the wall, paint Sky’s design of sacred geometry and nature symbols, and—most significantly—seal written prayers into the mural’s layers. The non-denominational prayer text at the mural’s center,