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,

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Pasadena Firefighters Dispatched to Help Fight Palisades Fire

By Andrè Coleman and City News Service

A strike team has been dispatched to help battle the blaze in Palisades according to Fire Chief Chad Augustin.

Austin told Pasadena Now that before the fire broke out, the Pasadena Fire Department had a team on standby due to the weather forecast of fast moving Santa Ana winds.

A strike team was placed in a hotel last weekend and ready to assist if the need arose.

And that’s what happened on Tuesday when the fast moving fire aided by Santa Ana winds broke in that area.

Five engines carrying 22 local firefighters were immediately dispatched to Palisades to assist in the fight to save homes and local structures.

The fire has scorched 1,262 acres.

Air tankers and water-dropping helicopters could be seen making drops as firefighters from the area rushed to the scene from across the Southland.

The orders essentially cover the bulk of Pacific Palisades.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

City to Activate Emergency Operations Center on Tuesday Night

By ANDRÉ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

The City is taking a number of steps to help provide services to local residents.

First, the City’s Cold Weather Shelter was activated at 3 p.m., according to Fire Chief Chad Augustin.

The decision was made to help unhoused residents and those displaced by the current windstorm.

The winds slammed into the City overnight downing power lines and some trees. Although the wind seemed to calm down earlier today, gusts have restarted and are expected to pick up in strength.

The Pasadena Fire Department responded to the 1600 block on Kenilworth after a tree collapsed onto a home. No one was injured.

“We’re doing twice a day City leadership briefings with the National Weather Service to be prepared for what is coming at us,” Augustin told Pasadena Now. “The worst is yet to come. We are activating the Emergency Operations Center this evening.”

The City’s response to the wind storm will go through the Emergency Operations Center which includes a face-to-face coordinated response with representatives from key City departments,

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Pasadena Bad Weather Shelter Opens Early Due To Severe Wind Warning

STAFF REPORT

Temporary shelter at Trinity Lutheran Church to operate through January 10

Local nonprofit Friends In Deed has launched an early opening of its Bad Weather Shelter program in Pasadena, responding to severe high wind warnings threatening the area’s homeless population.

The shelter, located at Trinity Lutheran Church, began operations on January 7 and will remain open through the morning of January 10, providing essential overnight accommodations during hazardous weather conditions.

“We are committed to providing a safe and warm environment for those facing the harsh realities of winter. Our shelter offers more than just a roof — it provides a hot meal, a place to rest, and a sense of security during inclement weather. This wind storm has brought dangerous conditions, and we are grateful to be working closely with the City of Pasadena to ensure our neighbors in need have a safe place to shelter. Thanks to our partnership with Trinity Lutheran Church and the city’s generous support,

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

PWP May Need To Shut Off Power To Decrease Fire Risk

By André Coleman and City News Service

According to Pasadena Water and Power, the City may need to implement power shutoffs to decrease the risk of fires.

“The safety of our community is the City of Pasadena’s top priority,” Pasadena Water and Power officials said on Tuesday. “High winds and fire risk conditions are forecasted from Tuesday through Thursday afternoon. Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) may need to implement public safety power shutoffs to decrease potential fire risk. If this occurs, PWP will restore power as soon as it is safe.”

Many local residents received an alert from AT&T regarding possible shutoffs on their cell phones.

“I urge residents to exercise caution as we experience this windstorm if you are able to remain at home and work,” said Mayor Victor Gordo. “You should do so. Be on the lookout for falling trees and limbs and downed power lines, and if you happen to see any of the dangerous situations do not try,