Thursday, January 16, 2025

Altadena Family Displaced by Eaton Fire Faces Illegal Price Gouging

STAFF REPORT

An Altadena family who were victims of the Eaton Fire now say they have been victimized again.

Warren Skidmore and his family were forced to leave their home when the fire ravaged their community.

Seeking temporary refuge, they found an Airbnb in nearby Pasadena, only to discover, they say, that the rent for their stay increased by more than 43% in the following week.

Many people are reporting illegal price gouging as they struggle to secure housing in the aftermath of the blaze.

“My kids are great kids, and they’ve grown up in that house. That was their place, and they’ve lost their place,” Skidmore told ABC News Channel 7. “They’ve lost their little havens they’ve made for themselves.”

California law prohibits businesses from increasing prices by more than 10% during a state of emergency, a rule aimed at protecting vulnerable consumers during times of crisis.

Attorney General Rob Bonta confirmed that price gouging during the ongoing emergency in Los Angeles and Ventura counties is illegal,

Thursday, January 16, 2025

County Health Officer Issues Order for Safe Removal, Transport, and Disposal of Fire Debris

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued a new order in preparation for fire recovery operations and to ensure the safe removal, transport, and disposal of fire debris resulting from recent wildfires. This order aims to protect public health and safety during the cleanup process for fire debris.

The devastating fires throughout Los Angeles County have caused the destruction of thousands of residences and other structures, leaving behind fire debris and ash that pose significant threats to public health. To ensure public health and safety, the Health Officer has issued an order prohibiting the cleanup or removal of fire debris at fire damaged and burned properties located in Critical Fire Areas, including the areas of the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, Creek, Hurst, and Lidia Fires, among others, until a hazardous materials inspection is completed by an approved government agency.

Fire debris removal activities must be approved and comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. The County has requested state and federal assistance to expediate recovery activities and ensure the safe removal of fire debris from structures damaged by the fires.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Spectrum Pledges $2.5 Million for Southern California Wildfire Relief

STAFF REPORT

Telecommunications provider launches comprehensive support package with cash donations, small business loans, and community assistance programs

Spectrum announced a $2.5 million commitment to support wildfire relief efforts in Southern California, launching a multi-faceted response aimed at helping affected communities stay connected and rebuild. The January 14, 2025 initiative combines direct financial aid, small business support, and infrastructure assistance to maintain critical communications during the ongoing crisis.

The support package includes $500,000 in cash contributions split between the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, and the California Fire Foundation. Spectrum has allocated $1 million through its Community Investment Loan Fund, working with community development financial institutions to support small businesses serving underserved communities. An additional $1 million will fund public service announcements supporting nonprofit organizations’ relief efforts. The company has also established a microsite to facilitate employee donations to the American Red Cross.

Through its Spectrum Community Center Assist program, the company will improve community centers in underserved rural and urban areas while supporting job skills training programs.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

State, Federal Tax Filing Deadlines Extended for LACo Residents Due to Fires

CITY NEWS SERVICE

As a result of the devastation caused by the Los Angeles-area wildfires, residents countywide will have additional time this year to file their federal and state income taxes.

Normally set on April 15, the tax filing deadline for Los Angeles County residents and businesses will now be Oct. 15, according to the Internal Revenue Service and the governor’s office.

“The Oct. 15, 2025, deadline applies to individual income tax returns and payments normally due on April 15, 2025,” according to a statement from the IRS. “This relief also applies to the 2024 estimated tax payment normally due on Jan. 15, 2025, and estimated tax payments normally due on April 15, June 16, and Sept. 15, 2025. Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Jan. 7, 2025, and before Jan. 22, 2025, will be abated as long as the tax deposits are made by Jan. 22, 2025.”

The California Franchise Tax Board mirrored the IRS’

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Los Angeles County Launches Interactive Map to Help Wildfire Survivors Assess Property Damage

Los Angeles County has unveiled a new online mapping system that allows residents affected by the Eaton Fire to determine the extent of damage to their properties.

The interactive platform, accessible through the County’s recovery website, employs a color-coded system and includes photographs to indicate varying levels of destruction to homes and structures.

“It’s been seven days since the Eaton Fire caused destruction, devastation, and displacement, and there are still countless residents who aren’t sure whether or not their homes are still standing,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger.

The digital assessment tool categorizes properties using five distinct classifications: black for undamaged structures, green for 1-9% damage, yellow for 10-25% damage, orange for 26-50% damage, and red for more than 50% destroyed.

“My constituents need to know the scope of what’s happened to their properties so they can begin applying for assistance and start their recovery process,” Barger said, describing the map as “a trusted source” of helpful information.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

LA County Fire Department Seeks Additional Funds for Specialty EMS Program

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion Tuesday seeking $7 million in stopgap funding for specialty emergency response vehicles used by the county fire department to answer simple medical interventions.

Advanced Provider Response Units are staffed with a firefighter or paramedic from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, along with a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, and respond to “low acuity EMS calls,” according to Tuesday’s motion by Supervisors Hilda Solis and Janice Hahn.

The department is seeking the funds to continue and expand services, with funding from American Rescue Plan Act set to be exhausted by the end of March 2025.

Officials said finding a funding source until then is crucial, given that EMS calls are skyrocketing amid the fire emergencies in the county. The board directed the fire department, the county CEO and the departments of Health Services, Mental Health and Public Health to find sources for ongoing funding or one-time bridge funding and report back in 30 days.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Property Tax Relief Offered to Los Angeles County Wildfire Victims

Los Angeles County property owners affected by current wildfires can qualify for immediate property tax relief and payment deferrals, California tax officials announced today.

The State Board of Equalization said properties in Governor-proclaimed disaster areas or those experiencing qualifying calamities with damage of at least $10,000 of current market value can receive temporary tax reductions and potential refunds. Once properties are rebuilt, their pre-damaged values will be restored.

Affected owners must file claims with the Office of Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang within 12 months of the damage date or their County’s specified timeframe, whichever is later. Eligible owners can also defer their next property tax installment without penalties or interest.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to all the residents and communities impacted by these devastating wildfires, and we thank all of the courageous firefighters and first responders who continue to battle the ongoing fires,” said State Board of Equalization Chairman Ted Gaines.

“As a resident of Los Angeles County,

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Gov. Newsom Proposes Billions in New Funding for LA Fire Emergencies

CITY NEWS SERVICE

In an effort to secure $2.5 billion in additional funding for ongoing emergency response efforts in the L.A. region, Gov. Gavin Newsom Monday expanded a special session of the California Legislature.

The governor signed a proclamation Monday, which expands the scope of the current special session and allows the legislature to consider and approve new funding requests without delay.

If any funding is approved, it would support recovery, cleanup, wildfire preparedness and reopening schools shuttered by the fires, according to Newsom’s office.

“California is organizing a Marshall Plan to help Los Angeles rebuild faster and stronger — including billions in new and accelerated state funding so we can move faster to deliver for thousands who’ve lost their homes and livelihoods in these firestorms,” Newsom said in a statement.

“To the people of Los Angeles: We have your back,” he continued.

The governor specifically requested $1 million to augment state emergency response funding —

Monday, January 13, 2025

Parts Of Kinneloa Mesa To Reopen After Eaton Fire

Los Angeles County officials announced a partial lifting of evacuation orders in fire-affected communities, allowing some residents to return home starting Monday afternoon.

“Your safety and resilience are what matter most,” officials emphasized in the announcement, outlining a detailed repopulation plan for specific zones within the Kinneloa Mesa area.

“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is announcing the repopulation of communities impacted by the Eaton Fire effective 3:00 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025,” according to the official statement. Orders are being modified “from Evacuation Orders TO Evacuation Warnings” for areas south of Heights Road to New York Drive and east of Outpost Lane to Sierra Madre Villa Avenue in the unincorporated Kinneloa Mesa Community. For those using the Watch Duty App and Protect.Genasys.com, this zone is listed as “KIN-KINNELOA.”

“The warning area of Kinneloa Mesa is considered a ‘soft closure’. Only residents are allowed,” officials stated. Meanwhile, “the remaining areas of the unincorporated community of Altadena” remain under evacuation orders.

Monday, January 13, 2025

LA County Board to Ratify Local Emergency Prompted by Wildfires

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Following state and federal emergency proclamations for the Los Angeles-area wildfires, the county Board of Supervisors is expected Tuesday to ratify the local emergency declaration.

The proclamations were declared to provide immediate access to recovery resources and funds, amidst wildfires blazing through the county. Supervisor Kathryn Barger, the board chair, signed a county emergency declaration last week, but it must be ratified by the full board.

As of midday Monday, the two biggest fires, the Palisades Fire had burned nearly 24,000 acres with 14% containment and the Eaton Fire had burned over 14,000 acres with 33% containment, according to Cal Fire.

The death toll from the fires was reported to be 24 as of Sunday evening, while more than 10,000 structures were believed to have been destroyed or damaged.

The board on Tuesday will also ratify a Curfew Order issued on Thursday limiting public movement from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in evacuation zones and a Local Health Emergency declaration from Friday.